Abstract:
There is provided a resistive actuation unit for activating a tub system an operation of which is controlled by a controller. The actuation unit comprises at least one switching device coupled to a body of the tub and in communication with the controller. The switching device comprises a first and a second resistive element, each of which having a resistive value, which changes upon a contact being made on the resistive element. The controller detects a change in resistive value of at least one of the first and the second resistive element. If the controller detects a change in the resistive value of the first resistive element only, the selected function of the tub system is activated. Otherwise, the controller determines that water contacted the second resistive element and the selected function is not activated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority on U.S. Application No. 61/479100, filed on Apr. 26, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE APPLICATION 
       [0002]    The present application relates to tubs having tub systems such as water massage systems (i.e., whirlpool systems), air-jet massage systems, aromatherapy systems, etc, and to an actuation unit for activating such tub systems. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
       [0003]    Tubs are well known for their primary use, namely a washroom installation in which a user person washes and bathes. Tubs have, however, evolved to add relaxation and comfort to practicality, and are found in many forms, such as bathtubs, spas, whirlpools. 
         [0004]    For instance, tubs are now provided with air-jet systems and whirlpool systems, by which air or water is injected into the water of the tub to create some turbulence in the water. The turbulence creates a massaging effect on the bather in the tub. Other types of electrically actuated systems, such as oxygenation systems, foot-massage systems and aromatherapy systems are provided in conjunction with tubs, whereby a plurality of treatments and physical/sensorial experiences are available with tubs. Such systems are often actuated through mechanical switches with normally-open contacts, which contacts are closed by the manipulation of the user. 
         [0005]    Other types of systems have been developed to avoid the use of mechanical contacts. For instance, systems using touchless or finger-sensitive technologies, which operate based on capacitive field fluctuation. One drawback with such systems is their sensitivity to dielectric liquids, whereby they do not constitute an efficient solution for tub applications. 
         [0006]    The bather having recourse to such treatments or physical/sensorial experiences seeks amongst other things a moment of relaxation. It is therefore desired to simplify the use of all such systems to ensure that the bather benefits from relaxing in the tub. 
       SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION 
       [0007]    It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a novel resistive actuation unit for tub systems. 
         [0008]    In accordance with a first broad aspect, there is provided a tub comprising a body for holding a volume of water, a tub system coupled to the body and adapted to perform a function on the volume of water, at least one resistive switch mounted to a visible surface of the body and comprising at least one resistive element adapted to be contacted by a user, the at least one resistive element adapted to change resistive value upon being contacted, the change in resistive value of the at least one resistive element representative of a command from the user to activate the tub system; and a controller operationally coupled to the at least one resistive switch and to the tub system, the controller adapted to detect the change in resistive value of the at least one resistive element to activate the tub system according to the command. 
         [0009]    Still in accordance with another broad aspect, there is provided resistive actuation unit for activating a tub system, the resistive actuation unit comprising: at least one resistive switch having at least one resistive element adapted to be contacted by a user and change resistive value upon being contacted, the change in resistive value of the at least one resistive element representative of a command from the user to activate the tub system; and a controller operationally coupled to the at least one resistive switch and to the tub system, the controller adapted to detect the change in resistive value of the at least one resistive element to activate the tub system according to the command. 
         [0010]    Still in accordance with another broad aspect, there is provided method for activating a tub system coupled to a tub body holding a volume of liquid, the method comprising: monitoring a resistive value of at least one resistive element of at least one resistive switch mounted to a visible surface of the tub body; detecting a change in the resistive value, the change in resistive value of the at least one resistive element representative of a command to activate the tub system; and activating the tub system according to the command. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a tub with resistive actuation unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a water detection sensor above piping; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a tub with resistive actuation unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a water detection sensor in a bottom of the tub; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a tub with resistive actuation unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a water detection sensor in piping; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is side view of a resistive switch device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is side view of a resistive switch device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a portion of the resistive switch device of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a circuitry of the resistive actuation unit of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Referring to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a tub  10  is generally illustrated. A hidden or inner surface of the tub  10 , comprising the tub wall  10 A, is shown, although this surface is typically not visible once the tub  10  is installed. A visible or outer surface of the tub  10 , comprising a flange  10 B, is also shown. The tub  10  is equipped with a resistive actuation unit featuring a controller  11  that is electrically actuated. The controller  11  is connected to one or more resistive switch devices  12  to send an actuation signal to the controller  11 . The controller unit  11  may also be connected to a water detection sensor  13 , to determine whether a liquid (e.g., water) is present in the tub  10 . 
         [0019]    The controller  11  is used to operate a tub system  14 . In the embodiment, the tub system  14  is a water jet system, by which water from the tub  10  is pressurized to be reinjected in the tub by jets. Alternative tub systems as in  14  may be used individually or in combination with the water jet system, such as air massage systems, oxygenation systems, foot-massage systems, chromotherapy systems, and aromatherapy systems, among numerous other possibilities. Accordingly, the functions or effects performed by the tub system  14  may comprise but are not limited to adjusting the temperature, the flow, and the pressure of the water, adjusting the pressure of the air injected in the water, modifying a scent diffused in the tub (in the case of aromatherapy systems), and modifying the lighting illuminating the tub (in the case of chromotherapy systems). In order to achieve various effects, a plurality of resistive switch devices  12  may thus be connected to the controller  11 , each resistive switch device  12  being associated with a function of the tub system  14 . 
         [0020]    The controller  11  is therefore the interface between the user and the tub system  14 , as it transmits actuation commands from the user to the tub system  14 , to actuate or stop the tub system  14 . Moreover, additional commands may be performed via the resistive actuation system, by providing additional resistive switch devices  12  (although not shown). Such additional commands include any appropriate function that may be performed by the tub system  14 , and also the increase and decrease of the intensity of the effect performed by the tub system  14 . The controller  11  may also perform safety functions, such as actuating the tub system  14  only when suitable operating conditions are met, such as the detection of water via the water detection sensor  13 . Illustratively, if no water is detected by the water detection sensor  13  or the detected level of water is below a predetermined threshold, transmission by the user of an actuation command via the resistive switch devices  12  will not result in activation of the desired functions by the tub system  14 . For that reason, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the water detection sensor  13  may be located directly in the tub wall  10 A. It is observed that the water detection sensor  13  may be positioned above the piping  16  of the tub system  14  to ensure that the level of water in the tub  10  is above the piping  16 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the water detection sensor  13  may be positioned below the piping  16  yet above the level of an inlet  17  of the tub system  14 . Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the water detection sensor  13  may be located in the piping  16  of the tub system  14 , to ensure that the level of water in the tub  10  is at the level of the piping  16  or above. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , one of the resistive switch devices  12  in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment will now be described. The switch device  12  comprises a first resistive element  20  comprising a head portion  21 , which may be exposed on a visible face of the flange  10 B of the tub  10 . The head portion  21  may be provided with a shape, such as a pushbutton shape, suitable for actuation thereof by the user. The head portion  21  may be further provided with indicia or logo, drawn, etched, or otherwise presented thereon, which is indicative of the function that will be performed when a user presses the switch device  12 . 
         [0022]    The resistive element  20  may also comprise a bottom portion  22 , which may feature threading thereon. A connector  23  may be coupled to the bottom portion  22  and is adapted to be connected to the controller  11  by a wire  24  or any other suitable means. The connector  23  may be an eyelet connector or any other appropriate connector known to those skilled in the art. A nut  25 , which may feature thereon tapping adapted to threadingly engage with the threading provided on the bottom portion  22 , may be coupled to the bottom portion  22  for maintaining the connector  23  in contact with the head portion of the resistive element  20 . Any appropriate connection configuration may be used to ensure that the connector  23  remains in contact with the bottom portion  22 , and that the resistive element  20  remains secured to the tub wall  10 A (e.g., adhesives, mating engagement, etc). 
         [0023]    In operation, the resistive element  20  may be positioned on the flange  10 B of the tub  10  by inserting the bottom portion  22  in a hole (not shown) machined or manufactured in the flange  10 B. When in place, the head portion  21  of the resistive element  20  illustratively rests on a visible face of the flange  10 B of the tub while the bottom portion  22  projects into an underside of the tub  10 . The connector  23  may then be coupled to the bottom portion  22  in abutment with a hidden face of the flange  10 B. The nut  25  may be coupled to the bottom portion  22  in abutment with the connector  23  to secure the latter in place. The connector  23  may further be connected to the controller  11  via the wire  24  and a current may circulate in the resistive element  20  via the wire  24 . The contact of a finger or like body part on the head portion  21  of the resistive element  20  may in turn modify the resistive value of the resistive element  20  detected by the controller  11 , thereby identifying a command from a user. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 5  in addition to  FIG. 4 , since the head portion  21  of the first resistive element  20  may be exposed on the visible face of the flange  10 B, the first resistive element  20  may be sensitive to the contact of water. As such, the controller  11  may falsely identify a command when water is in contact with the head portion  21  of the resistive element  20 . In order to prevent inadvertent activation of the tub system  14  due to water accidentally contacting the first resistive element  20  without the user contacting the latter, a second resistive element may therefore be provided in electrical insulation with the first resistive element  20 . In this manner, it may be possible to discriminate between user activation of the resistive switch device  12  and water contacting the resistive switch device  12 . However, in some applications, for instance in which the switch device  12  is minimally exposed to water, the use of a single resistive element suffices. 
         [0025]    Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , according to a second illustrative embodiment, the first resistive element  20  may have a slender rod  26 , having an exposed tip portion  27 , being exposed on the visible face of the flange  10 B of the tub  10 . A bottom of the rod  26  of the element  20  projects into an underside of the tub  10 , and may feature threading thereon. An eyelet connector  28  (or any other appropriate connector) is maintained in contact with the rod  26  by way of nut  29 , or by any appropriate connection configuration (e.g., fastener, glue, magnets, etc.). The connector  28  is connected to the controller  11  by wire  30 , through which a current circulates to modify the value of the resistive element  20  detected by the controller  11  in the event of a user contacting the tip portion  27 . 
         [0026]    A second resistive element is illustratively provided and comprises a ring portion  31  that is exposed on the visible face of the flange  10 B of the tub  10 . A sleeve  32  is in conductive relation with the ring portion  31 . The sleeve  32  may comprise threading, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0027]    A connector  33  is in contact with the outer surface of the sleeve  32  and is maintained in the illustrated position by way of a nut  34 , or by any appropriate connection configuration (e.g., fastener, glue, magnets, etc.). 
         [0028]    A sealing ring  35  is positioned about the sleeve  32  in abutment with the hidden face of the flange  10 B. The sealing ring  35  seals the hole in the tub  10  through which passes the sleeve  32 . Nut  34  is used to press the sealing ring  35  against the hidden face of the flange  10 B of the tub  10 . The connector  33  is connected to the controller  11  by wire  36 . Although not shown, the resistive switch device  12  of  FIG. 4  may have a similar sealing arrangement, with a sealing ring  35  and fastener. 
         [0029]    An insulating spacer  37  connects the first resistive element  20  to the second resistive element  31 / 32 . The insulating spacer  37  is illustratively a T-shaped member with an inner channel accommodating part of the rod  26 . Moreover, the sleeve  32  houses a portion of the spacer  37 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The insulating spacer  37  has a head portion  38 . The head portion  38  is typically provided with an appropriate indicia or logo to indicate the function that will be performed when pressing the resistive switch device  12 . Alternatively, the indicia or logo may be on the tip portion  27  of the first resistive element  20 . In an embodiment, the periphery of the ring portion  31  does not extend radially beyond a periphery of the head portion  38 . Accordingly, from a top plan view, the ring portion  31  is fully concealed under the head portion  38 , as observed from  FIG. 6 . 
         [0030]    Accordingly, a current circulates in the second resistive element via the wire  36 , and the contact of water on the ring portion  31  will modify the resistive value of the second resistive element detected by the controller  11 , thereby the presence of water. 
         [0031]    Therefore, in operation, a change in resistive value of both the first and second resistive elements  20  and  31 / 32 , or of the second resistive element  31 / 32  only (and not to the first resistive element  20 ), will indicate to the controller  11  that water is in contact with the resistive switch device  12 , whereby the controller  11  will not perform any operation. A change in resistive value of the first resistive element  20  only (and not to the second resistive element  31 / 32 ) will indicate to the controller  11  that contact is selectively made with the resistive switch device  12 , whereby the controller  11  will perform the appropriate function. Moreover, the water detection sensor  13  may operate in similar resistive fashion. In such a case, the controller  11  would need to detect the presence of liquid in the tub  10  via a variation in the resistive value of the sensor  13 , as discussed herein above. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a contemplated circuitry  40  and micro-processor  41  are shown, as used by the controller  11  to operate the resistive switch device  12 . It is pointed out that any appropriate circuitry may be used as well and that switch devices  12  other than resistive may be used, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. However, considering that water is in the proximity of the resistive actuation unit, all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid any electrical shock. The use of resistive actuation is appropriate in that low current and low voltage are sufficient to operate the switch devices  12 . Nevertheless, any appropriate safety circuit and ground must be present in the controller  11 .