Abstract:
In order to provide a movement mechanism for moving a closure element for the purposes of sealing a waste outlet opening, in particular in a sink or a washstand, which is adapted to be operated in a simple and reliable manner and permits of a large degree of flexibility in regard to the design of the sink and the connections to the sink or the washstand, it is proposed that the movement mechanism comprise an electrically operated drive element.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation application of PCT/EP2004/007830 filed Jul. 15, 2004, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a movement mechanism for moving a closure element for the purposes of sealing a waste outlet opening, in particular a waste outlet opening of a sink or a washstand.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Known sinks are provided with a mechanical movement mechanism for moving a closure element for the purposes of sealing a waste outlet opening of the sink wherein the mechanism comprises a rotary operating knob that is provided on the upper surface of the sink and causes a movement of the closure element from an open position into a closed position or in the reverse direction when it is rotated by a user of the sink. Hereby, the rotary motion of the rotary operating knob is converted into a linear motion of the closure element by means of a cable-pull connection for example.  
         [0004]     However, such a cable-pull connection has the disadvantage that twisting of the cable due to an adverse mounting position can make the operation of the rotary operating knob considerably more difficult. Furthermore, the cable-pull connection limits the possibilities in regard to the design of the pipe-work connections to the sink. Moreover, a rotary operating knob projecting above the upper surface of the sink presents an obstruction to the cleaning of the sink and enables lime, dirt and bacteria to accumulate. In some circumstances, the rotary operating knob projecting above the upper surface of the sink may also have an adverse effect upon the overall aesthetic appearance of the sink.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Consequently, the object of the present invention is to provide a movement mechanism for moving a closure element for the purposes of sealing a waste outlet opening of a sink or a washstand which is operable in a simple and reliable manner and which permits of a large degree of flexibility in regard to the design of the sink and the connections to the sink or the washstand.  
         [0006]     In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved in the case of a movement mechanism incorporating the features indicated in the preamble of Claim  1  in that the movement mechanism comprises an electrically operated drive element.  
         [0007]     Due to the fact that the movement of the closure element from the open position into the closed position or in the reverse direction is effected by means of an electrically operated drive element, the result obtained thereby is that the power required to move the closure element no longer has to be applied by the user through the operation of an actuating element, a rotary operating knob for example, but rather this driving power is produced independently of the user by the electrically operated drive element. This permits a more ergonomic, simple and safe operation of the movement mechanism, in particular, even if the user has wet hands.  
         [0008]     Since, in the case of the movement mechanism in accordance with the invention, a mechanical drive train no longer has to be extended from a rotary operating knob to the closure element, the movement mechanism is easier to install and is more flexible in regard to the design of the disposition, alignment and construction of its components.  
         [0009]     When the closure element reaches one of its end positions, the movement mechanism can be switched off by means of a limit switch.  
         [0010]     In particular, provision may be made for the movement mechanism to comprise an electric motor.  
         [0011]     Preferably, provision is made for the movement mechanism to comprise an electrically operated servomotor.  
         [0012]     The electric motor can be provided with a reduction gear, and in particular with a spur gear in order to obtain a relatively slow movement of the closure element as is generally preferred by users of the sink or the washstand.  
         [0013]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may be made for the movement mechanism to comprise an electromagnet.  
         [0014]     In particular, provision may be made for the electromagnet to comprise a moveable element which is moveable from a first end position that is associated with the open position of the closure element into a second end position that is associated with the closed position of the closure element.  
         [0015]     Furthermore, provision may be made for the movement mechanism to comprise a coupling device by means of which a linear movement of an element of the electromagnet is convertible into a rotary movement.  
         [0016]     In particular, provision may be made for such a coupling device to comprise a Bowden cable.  
         [0017]     Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the movement mechanism in accordance with the invention, provision is made for the movement mechanism to comprise a control device for controlling the drive element.  
         [0018]     An especially high degree of flexibility in regard to the possibilities for operating and controlling the movement mechanism is obtained, if the control device comprises a programmable controller, and in particular, a micro-controller.  
         [0019]     Furthermore, provision is preferably made for the movement mechanism to comprise at least one actuating element for initiating a movement of the closure element.  
         [0020]     Such an actuating element may comprise a switch for example, and in particular a push-button switch.  
         [0021]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, such an actuating element can comprise a capacitive sensor for example.  
         [0022]     In a preferred embodiment of such an actuating element, provision is made for the actuating element to comprise a cover for the sensor, preferably on the viewing side.  
         [0023]     In order to ensure that a change of capacitance in the region above the cover is detectable by the sensor, provision is advantageously made for the cover to be formed from a dielectric material.  
         [0024]     As an alternative to or in addition to a capacitive sensor, provision may also be made for the actuating element to comprise a pressure-sensitive sensor.  
         [0025]     In particular, provision may be made for the actuating element to comprise a piezoelectric sensor.  
         [0026]     In order to prevent false triggering of a pressure-sensitive sensor due to pressure being applied to the sink outside the detection region of the sensor, provision may be made for the actuating element to comprise a cover which is moveable relative to the sink or the washstand. The application of pressure to the cover then causes the pressure-sensitive sensor to respond, whereas the cover which is moveable relative to the sink or the washstand is decoupled from the sink or the washstand in such a way that false triggering due to pressure being applied to another part of the sink or the washstand is not possible.  
         [0027]     In order to prevent false triggering of the actuating element due to large objects being placed on the sink or the washstand and/or due to water standing on the upper surface of the sink or the washstand, provision is made in a preferred embodiment of the movement mechanism for the actuating element to comprise at least two sensors which have detection regions that differ from one another, wherein a movement of the closure element is then initiated if one of the sensors responds and the respective other sensor does not respond.  
         [0028]     Furthermore, in order to prevent false triggering of the actuating element, it is of advantage, if the actuating element comprises at least one sensor of adjustable sensitivity.  
         [0029]     The sensitivity can be adjusted either at the sensor itself or by means of the control device for the movement mechanism.  
         [0030]     In order to protect a sensor from humidity and dirt, provision may be made for the movement mechanism to comprise a sensor arranged in a housing.  
         [0031]     In preferred embodiments of the movement mechanism in accordance with the invention, provision is made for the actuating element to be arranged on the sink or the washstand and formed in such a way that it does not project upwardly above the upper surface of the region of the sink or the washstand surrounding the actuating element. This thus prevents the actuating element forming an elevated area on the sink or the washstand which would make cleaning the surface of the sink or the washstand more difficult and permit the build up of an accumulation of lime, dirt and/or bacteria.  
         [0032]     It is particularly expedient in this regard, if the actuating element is arranged on the lower surface of the sink or the washstand where it is particularly well protected from contamination and water splashes.  
         [0033]     In order to indicate the position of the actuating element to the user of the sink or the washstand in this case, a marking, for example a coloured marking, a local elevation of the surface of the sink or the washstand or a stamped impression, is preferably provided at that position on the upper surface of the sink or the washstand which is located above the actuating element so as to indicate the position of the actuating element to the user.  
         [0034]     If the sink or the washstand has several waste outlet openings, then provision is advantageously made for the movement mechanism to comprise several drive elements for moving a respective closure element of a waste outlet opening.  
         [0035]     In particular, provision may be made for a drive train to be provided for each closure element, wherein the drive trains are selectively connectible to a drive motor by a clutch mechanism.  
         [0036]     As an alternative thereto, provision may also be made for a separate drive motor to be provided for each drive train.  
         [0037]     In order to enable the drive elements for the closure elements of the different waste outlet openings to be operated independently of each other, provision may be made hereby for the movement mechanism to comprise several actuating elements, wherein each actuating element is adapted to initiate the movement of a respective closure element associated with this said actuating element.  
         [0038]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may also be made for the movement mechanism to comprise at least one actuating element with the aid of which the movement of one of at least two closure elements is adapted to be selectively initiated. The number of actuating elements that have to be provided can be reduced in this way.  
         [0039]     In this case, provision can be made for example for the actuating element to be actuatable in at least two mutually differing manners, wherein each manner of actuation initiates a movement of a closure element that is associated with the manner of actuation concerned.  
         [0040]     Thus, for example, provision can be made for at least two of the manners of actuation of the actuating element to differ in regard to the duration of the effect produced by a user on the actuating element.  
         [0041]     In particular, provision could be made for the one closure element to be moved in the event of a long duration of actuation of the actuating element and for another closure element to be moved in the event of a short duration of actuation.  
         [0042]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may also be made for at least two of the manners of actuation to differ from one another in regard to the number of successive times that an effect is produced by the user on the actuating element within a given time interval.  
         [0043]     Thus, provision could be made for a single actuating action by the user to initiate a movement of the one closure element, whereas two actuating actions by the user following each other within a given time interval would initiate the movement of another closure element.  
         [0044]     The movement mechanism in accordance with the invention advantageously exhibits an additional overflow protective function, if the movement mechanism comprises at least one sensor which initiates a movement of the closure element associated with the basin concerned into the open position when a given level is reached in this basin of the sink or the washstand.  
         [0045]     A capacitive sensor is preferably used as such an overflow sensor, this then initiating an actuating signal due to the change of capacitance occurring in the proximity of the sensor as a result of the water rising into the detection region of the overflow protection sensor.  
         [0046]     In particular, provision may be made for the drive element to be controlled in such a way that it moves the closure element into an open position if the level in the basin exceeds a first threshold value, and for the drive element to move the closure element into a closed position if the level in the basin falls below a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is lower than the first threshold value. Because the first and the second threshold values are different from each other, a switching hysteresis effect is thereby obtained which results in a stable switching behaviour of the automatic control loop comprising the overflow sensor, the drive element and a control device for the drive element.  
         [0047]     For this purpose furthermore, it is expedient if the overflow sensor produces a signal from which it is apparent as to whether the level in the basin lies above the first threshold value or below the second threshold value.  
         [0048]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may be made for at least two overflow sensors to be arranged on the basin, wherein a first overflow sensor produces a signal from which it is apparent as to whether the level lies above the first threshold value, and a second overflow sensor produces a signal from which it is apparent as to whether the level lies below the second threshold value.  
         [0049]     Furthermore, provision may be made in a special embodiment of the invention for the drive element to be controlled in such a way that it moves the closure element into a first open position if the level in the basin exceeds a first threshold value, and for the drive element to move the closure element into a second open position if the level in the basin exceeds a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value lies above the first threshold value and the waste outlet opening is opened to a further extent in the second open position than it is in the first open position.  
         [0050]     A waste outlet opening is to be considered as being “opened to a further extent”, even if the size of the opened waste outlet opening does not change between the two open positions, but the closure element is further away from the waste outlet opening in the second open position than it is in the first open position so that the out-flowing water has easier access to the waste outlet opening and thus the water can flow away more rapidly.  
         [0051]     In this embodiment of the invention, the level in the basin can be adjusted particularly finely and the basin volume used to a better extent.  
         [0052]     Hereby in particular, provision may be made for the overflow sensor to produce a signal from which it is apparent as to whether the level in the basin lies above the first threshold value or above the second threshold value.  
         [0053]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may also be made for at least two overflow sensors to be arranged on the basin, wherein a first overflow sensor produces a signal from which it is apparent as to whether the level lies above the first threshold value, and a second overflow sensor produces a signal from which it is apparent as to whether the level lies above the second threshold value.  
         [0054]     Furthermore, provision may be made in a special embodiment of the invention for the drive element to be controlled in such a way that it moves the closure element into an open position and leaves it in the open position for a given minimum period of opening if the level in the basin exceeds a threshold value. In this way, a stable switching behaviour of the movement mechanism can be obtained even if use is made of a digital overflow sensor which merely indicates the presence of water within the detection region of the overflow sensor although an indication as to the height of the level is not derivable from the sensor signal.  
         [0055]     In this case furthermore, provision is advantageously made for the drive element to be controlled in such a way that it moves the closure element into a closed position at the expiration of the minimum period of opening if the level in the basin falls below the threshold value at the expiration of the minimum period of opening.  
         [0056]     In order to prevent an overflow sensor from effecting an unnecessary opening of the waste outlet opening due to a sensor signal which was initiated by splashes of water and/or a brief high-sloshing of the water, provision may be made for at least two overflow sensors to be arranged on the basin, wherein a movement of the closure element is initiated by the drive element only if at least two of these overflow sensors indicate that the level in the basin has increased.  
         [0057]     It is particularly expedient in this case, if the at least two overflow sensors are arranged on mutually differing side walls of the basin.  
         [0058]     In order to keep a user of the sink or the washstand informed as to the operative state of the movement mechanism, it is expedient if the movement mechanism comprises a signalling device incorporating a signal generator which produces a signal perceptible to a user when the closure element is moved by means of the drive element.  
         [0059]     It is particularly expedient, if the signalling device produces a signal that is perceptible by a user when the closure element is moved as a result of a signal from an overflow sensor, i.e. without the user being the cause for the movement of the closure element due to his own actuation of an actuating device.  
         [0060]     Such a signalling device can comprise, in particular, an optical signal generator.  
         [0061]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may be made for the signalling device to comprise an acoustic signal generator.  
         [0062]     In order to protect the signal generator from contamination and the penetration of moisture, provision is preferably made for the signal generator to be arranged on the lower surface of a sink or a washstand.  
         [0063]     In order to inform the user in as much detail as possible as to the operative state of the movement mechanism at any particular time, it is expedient if the signal generator produces at least two, preferably at least three, different signals which are associated with different operative states of the movement mechanism.  
         [0064]     Furthermore, in a special embodiment of the movement mechanism in accordance with the invention, provision may be made for the movement mechanism to comprise at least one actuating element for initiating a movement of the closure element and a control device which is connected to the actuating element and is adapted to be switched into a “Teach” mode in which a manner of actuating the actuating element that is preferred by a user can be set.  
         [0065]     If the “Teach” mode is switched on, the user of the sink or the washstand can himself record the particular manner in which he actuates the actuating element, i.e. in the “Teach” mode, the control device, learns” whether, for example, the user prefers a short or a long period of contact with the actuating element in order to initiate an actuation of the movement mechanism.  
         [0066]     To this end with the “Teach” mode switched on, the user successively repeats his preferred manner of actuating the actuating element several times, whereby the control device registers the length of the duration of the actuation in each case.  
         [0067]     After switching from the “Teach” mode into the normal working mode of the control device, the control device then only reacts to an actuation of the actuating element if the duration of the actuation agrees to within a given tolerance with the duration of the actuation that was “learned” during the “Teach” mode.  
         [0068]     For example, apart from a preferred duration of the actuation, a preferred number of actuating pulses that succeed one another within a given time interval can also be “learned” by the control device in the “Teach” mode.  
         [0069]     Claim  44  is directed towards a sink or a washstand which comprises at least one waste outlet opening and a closure element for sealing the at least one waste outlet opening as well as a movement mechanism in accordance with the invention for moving the closure element for the purposes of sealing the waste outlet opening.  
         [0070]     Further features and advantages of the invention form the subject matter of the following description and the graphic illustration of exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0071]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic illustration of a movement mechanism for moving a closure element for the purposes of sealing the waste outlet opening of a sink, which comprises a control device, an actuating device, a mains connector and a drive device for the closure element;  
         [0072]      FIG. 2 a  schematic perspective illustration of a sink incorporating a movement mechanism for moving the closure element for the purposes of sealing the waste outlet opening;  
         [0073]      FIG. 3 a  schematic plan view from below of the sink depicted in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0074]      FIG. 4 a  schematic view from the rear of the sink depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ;  
         [0075]      FIG. 5 a  schematic side view from the left of the sink depicted in FIGS.  2  to  4 ;  
         [0076]      FIG. 6 a  schematic side view from the right of the sink depicted in FIGS.  2  to  5 ;  
         [0077]      FIG. 7 a  schematic section through the sink depicted in FIGS.  2  to  6  in the vicinity of an actuating device in the movement mechanism of the sink;  
         [0078]      FIG. 8  an enlarged illustration of the region I depicted in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0079]      FIG. 9 a  schematic plan view of a two-zone sensor field;  
         [0080]      FIG. 10 a  schematic section through a pressure-sensitive actuating device;  
         [0081]      FIG. 11 a  schematic side view of a waste outlet valve arrangement which comprises a waste outlet opening with a closure element and a servomotor for moving the closure element, wherein the closure element is in a closed position;  
         [0082]      FIG. 12 a  schematic section through the waste outlet valve arrangement depicted in  FIG. 11 , wherein the closure element is in a closed position;  
         [0083]      FIG. 13  an illustration corresponding to  FIG. 11 , wherein the closure element is in an open position;  
         [0084]      FIG. 14  an illustration corresponding to  FIG. 12 , wherein the closure element is in an open position;  
         [0085]      FIG. 15 a  schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a movement mechanism for moving a closure element for the purposes of sealing the waste outlet opening of a sink, wherein the movement mechanism comprises an electromagnet as the drive element;  
         [0086]      FIG. 16 a  schematic perspective illustration of a sink incorporating the second embodiment of a movement mechanism;  
         [0087]      FIG. 17 a  further perspective illustration of a sink incorporating the second embodiment of a movement mechanism;  
         [0088]      FIG. 18 a  plan view from below of the sink depicted in  FIGS. 16 and 17 ;  
         [0089]      FIG. 19 a  schematic view from the rear of the sink depicted in FIGS.  16  to  18 ;  
         [0090]      FIG. 20 a  schematic side view from the left of the sink depicted in FIGS.  16  to  19 ;  
         [0091]      FIG. 21 a  schematic side view from the right of the sink depicted in FIGS.  16  to  20 ;  
         [0092]      FIG. 22 a  schematic section through a basin of a sink incorporating a third embodiment of a movement mechanism with an overflow sensor;  
         [0093]      FIG. 23 a  schematic section through a basin of a sink incorporating a fourth embodiment of a movement mechanism with two overflow sensors arranged one above the other;  
         [0094]      FIG. 24 a  schematic section through a basin of a sink incorporating a fifth embodiment of a movement mechanism with two overflow sensors arranged at the same height; and  
         [0095]      FIG. 25 a  schematic section through a basin of a sink incorporating a sixth embodiment of a movement mechanism with two overflow sensors and a signal generator.  
     
    
       [0096]     Similar or functionally equivalent elements are designated by the same reference symbols in each of the Figures.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0097]     A sink which is illustrated in FIGS.  1  to  14  and bears the general reference  100  comprises a substantially horizontal sink surface  102  in which a main basin  104  and a smaller and less deep auxiliary basin  106  are arranged and above which there rises a tap-fittings bank  107  that is arranged behind the auxiliary basin  106 .  
         [0098]     The bottom of the auxiliary basin  106  is provided with a waste outlet opening  108 .  
         [0099]     The bottom of the main basin  104  is provided with a waste outlet opening  110 .  
         [0100]     As can best be seen from  FIGS. 12 and 14 , the waste outlet opening  110  of the main basin  104  is arranged at the bottom  126  of a waste outlet opening recess  112  which is bent out downwardly from the bottom  114  of a closure element seating recess  116 .  
         [0101]     For its part, the closure element seating recess  116  is bent out downwardly from the bottom  118  of the main basin  104 .  
         [0102]     The waste outlet opening  110  is adapted to be sealed by means of a closure element  120  which is substantially rotationally symmetrical about a vertical axis  122  of the closure element.  
         [0103]     The closure element  120  comprises a substantially cylindrical closure element base body  124  which penetrates through a central through hole in the bottom  126  of the waste outlet opening recess  112 .  
         [0104]     The central through hole in the bottom  126  of the waste outlet opening recess  112  is surrounded by several further through holes  128  through which water can emerge downwardly from the waste outlet opening recess  112  into an angled piece of waste outlet pipe  130 .  
         [0105]     The upper section of the base body  124  of the closure element is surrounded in collar-like manner by a strainer basket element  132 . The strainer basket element  132  is provided along its periphery with equidistantly distributed filter passage openings  134 .  
         [0106]     Below the strainer basket element  132 , there is arranged a cup seal  136  which likewise surrounds the base body  124  of the closure element in collar-like manner, and extending from the outer edge thereof there is a flexible sealing lip  138  which surrounds the cup seal  136  in ring-like manner.  
         [0107]     As can be seen from  FIG. 12 , this sealing lip  138  rests on the inner edge of the bottom  114  of the closure element seating recess  116  in the closed position of the closure element  120  and thus prevents water escaping from the closure element seating recess  116  into the waste outlet opening recess  112  in the closed position.  
         [0108]     The closure element  120 , the closure element seating recess  116  and the waste outlet opening recess  112  together form a waste outlet valve assembly  139 .  
         [0109]     Below the bottom  126  of the waste outlet opening recess  112 , the base body  124  of the closure element is guided in a hollow, cylindrical retaining sleeve  140  such as to be displaceable along the axis  122  of the closure element.  
         [0110]     A lever  144 , which is connected in mutually non-rotatable manner to a rotary shaft  148  that is rotatable about the axis of rotation  146  thereof, engages the lower end  142  of the base body  124  of the closure element.  
         [0111]     The rotary shaft  148  is adapted to be driven by means of an electric servomotor  150  (see  FIGS. 11 and 13 ) into rotary motion about the axis of rotation  146 .  
         [0112]     The electric servomotor  150  forms a drive unit  152  for the closure element  120  which is connected to a control device  158  (see  FIG. 1 ) by means of current supply lines  154 ,  156 .  
         [0113]     The control device  158  comprises a programmable micro-controller arranged in a housing  160 .  
         [0114]     The control device  158  is connected by signal lines  162 ,  164  to an actuating device  165  which comprises an actuating element  166  that is arranged on the lower surface of the tap-fittings bank  107  for example.  
         [0115]     The actuating element  166  comprises a sensor  168  which may be in the form of a capacitive sensor  168   a  or a piezoelectric sensor  168   b  for example.  
         [0116]     As is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , provision may be made for the actuating element  166  to comprise a housing  170  which is inserted into a matching recess  172  in the lower surface of the sink  100  and within which the sensor  168  is arranged on a sensor circuit board  169 .  
         [0117]     This recess  172  can, in particular, be an additional tap hole boring which is in any case usually present in the sink  100 .  
         [0118]     The housing  170  may, for example, be in the form of a substantially cylindrical plastic housing which is a tight press-fit in the recess  172 .  
         [0119]     Alternatively or in addition to being fixed by means of such a press-fit, provision may also be made for the housing  170  to be glued to the lower surface of the sink  100 .  
         [0120]     Furthermore, provision may be made for the housing  170  to be fixed to the lower surface of the sink  100  by means of screws and/or rivets which engage in mounting holes provided in the lower surface of the sink  100 .  
         [0121]     If the sink  100  is a sink moulded from a plastic material or a composite material, then provision may be made for an additional holding lug to be cast on to the lower surface of the sink  100  to which the housing  170  can be fixed by a suitable mounting means, for example, a screw or a fixing pin.  
         [0122]     A capacitive sensor  168   a  is particularly suitable for use on a sink  100  made from a plastic material or from a composite material. Such a capacitive sensor can discern a change of capacitance which results from a user of the sink  100  moving a part of their body, a finger for example, into the detection region of the sensor  168 .  
         [0123]     In order for the capacitive sensor to be able to detect the change of capacitance caused by the finger of the user, it is necessary for a dielectric medium, which is not electrically conductive, to be arranged between the sensor  168   a  and the detection region.  
         [0124]     A plastic material or a composite material fulfils this condition, so that the capacitive sensor  168   a  can simply be arranged on the lower surface of a sink  100  made from such a material without the need for further precautions.  
         [0125]     In the case of a sink  100  which is made of an electrically conductive material, in particular, of a chrome nickel high-grade steel, the sink  100  must be provided with a passage opening into which there is inserted a dielectric material, a disk of a glass ceramic for example, in order to protect the sensor  168   a  arranged under the dielectric material from environmental effects, in particular, from water splashes, and at the same time enable the detection of a change of capacitance within the detection region  174  of the sensor to be effected.  
         [0126]     In this case, the sensor  168  or a housing  170  in which the sensor  168  is arranged, can be fixed to the disk made from the dielectric material, for example, it can be glued or screwed to this disk.  
         [0127]     In order to prevent the capacitive sensor  168  being triggered by water splashes occurring in the detection region  174 , the sensitivity of the sensor  168  is adjusted in such a way that it will only produce an actuating signal that is transmitted to the control device  158  if it detects a change of capacitance within the detection region  174  that exceeds a minimum trigger level such as is produced when a finger of a user comes into contact with the top of the sink  100  within the detection region  174 .  
         [0128]     In order to prevent an actuating signal being produced unintentionally by the sensor  168  due to larger objects, for example pots, cleaning cloths etc. being placed on the sink, or due to a layer of water on the top of the sink, the capacitive sensor  168   a  can be in the form of a two-zone sensor comprising an inner sensor which detects a change of capacitance within a central, circular detection region  174   a , and an outer sensor which detects a change of capacitance within an outer detection region  174   b  surrounding the inner detection region  174   a  in ring-like manner.  
         [0129]     If only the inner detection region  174   a  is touched by a user, then only the inner sensor produces an actuating signal which is conveyed over the signal lines  162 ,  164  to the micro-controller in the control device  158 .  
         [0130]     If both detection regions  174   a  and  174   b  are touched by a larger article or by water present on the top of the sink, then both the inner and the outer sensor produce a respective actuating signal which is transmitted to the micro-controller. In this case, the micro-controller ignores the actuating signals since they are not attributable to a normal actuation of the actuating element  166 .  
         [0131]     In like manner, the micro-controller ignores each actuating signal which is produced only by the outer sensor due to a contact being made with the outer detection region  174   b.    
         [0132]     If the sink  100  consists of a metallic conductive material, of a chromium-nickel steel for example, then use is preferably made of a piezoelectric crystal sensor  168   b  which is arranged on the lower surface of the sink  100  and reacts to pressure which is transferred through the (relatively thin) material of the sink  100 .  
         [0133]     An electric current thereby ensues due to the mutual displacement of the lattice planes in the piezoelectric crystal, said current being transmitted in the form of an electrical signal over the signal lines  162 ,  164  to the micro-controller in the control device  158 .  
         [0134]     In the case of a sink  100  of relatively thin material, the latter will deflect over a large surface area in response to the application of a point-like pressure for which reason a piezoelectric crystal sensor might possibly be activated by such a point-like pressure even if it is applied in a region of the sink  100  lying outside the sensor field.  
         [0135]     In order to exclude this source of error, provision may be made—as is illustrated in  FIG. 10 —for the actuating element  166  to comprise a moveable platelet  176 , made of metal for example, which is inserted into an appropriately shaped cut-out in the sink  100  and is moveable relative to the sink  100  (substantially perpendicularly relative to the upper surface of the sink) so that the platelet  176  receives a compressive force represented by the double arrow  178 , but does not pass it on to the sink  100 .  
         [0136]     The piezoelectric crystal sensor  168   b  is arranged on the lower surface of the platelet  176  and detects the application of pressure to the platelet  176 .  
         [0137]     Since, in this embodiment of the actuating element  166 , the platelet  176  with the sensor  168   b  is decoupled from the remainder of the upper surface of the sink  100 , false triggering of the sensor  168  due to the application of pressure to the sink  100  outside the platelet  176  is not possible.  
         [0138]     In each case, i.e. when making use of a capacitive or a piezoelectric crystal sensor  168 , the micro-controller of the control device  158  receives a signal over the signal lines  162 ,  164  when the sensor  168  responds, the micro-controller then controlling the servomotor  150  in dependence on said signal.  
         [0139]     The reaction of the micro-controller to the signal coming from the sensor  168  is dependent on the software installed in each case in the micro-controller.  
         [0140]     The micro-controller can be set-up in such a way that the sensitivity of the sensor  168  can be affected.  
         [0141]     In particular, it can be set-up in regard to the minimum period of time for which the sensor  168  must respond before an actuation of the servomotor  150  is controlled by the micro-controller.  
         [0142]     The micro-controller, the electric servomotor  150  and the actuating element  166  are supplied with the necessary electrical power by means of a power pack  180  which is connectible to the public electricity mains and is connected by a mains cable  182  to the control device  158 .  
         [0143]     The drive unit  152 , the control device  158 , the actuating device  165  and the power pack  180  together form a movement mechanism  183  for moving the closure element  120  of the waste outlet valve assembly  139 .  
         [0144]     In a variant of the movement mechanism, provision may also be made for the micro-controller and the sensor  168  not to be accommodated in different housings, but rather, in a common housing.  
         [0145]     The micro-controller of the control device  158  can exhibit a so-called “Teach” mode which is adapted to be switched on and off by means of a switch arranged on the micro-controller for example.  
         [0146]     If the “Teach” mode is switched on, the users of the sink  100  can indicate the manner in which they themselves actuate the actuating element  166 , i.e. the micro-controller “learns” in “the Teach” mode as to whether the user prefers a short or a long period of contact with the sensor field in order to initiate the operation of the movement mechanism.  
         [0147]     To this end with the “Teach” mode switched on, the user repeats his preferred manner of actuating the actuating element  166  several times in succession, whereby the micro-controller registers the length of the duration of the actuation in each case.  
         [0148]     After switching the “Teach” mode off, the micro-controller then only reacts to an actuation of the actuating element  166 , if the duration of the actuation agrees to within a given tolerance with the duration of the actuation “learned” during the “Teach” mode.  
         [0149]     If the micro-controller of the control device  158  receives an actuating signal from the actuating element  166  which is recognized as a regular actuating signal based upon the conditions specified in the control program of the micro-controller, then, due to this actuating signal, the micro-controller controls a movement of the closure element  120  by means of the electric servomotor  150  by closing the electric circuit containing the current supply lines  154 ,  156  for the servomotor  150 .  
         [0150]     Hereby, the polarity of the servomotor current supply circuit is set by the micro-controller in such a way that following the closure of the electric circuit, the rotary shaft  148  rotates about the axis of rotation  146  in that direction which moves the closure element  120  from its current position (for example the closed position illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) into the other respective position thereof (for example the open position illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ).  
         [0151]     The electric servomotor  150  is set-up in such a manner that it rotates the rotary shaft  148  comparatively slowly, for example, at a rotational speed of approximately 5 revolutions per minute. This slow rotation of the rotary shaft  148  is achieved due to the fact that a transmission having a very low transmission ratio of 1000:1 for example is switched between the servomotor  150  and the rotary shaft  148 . The comparatively slow rotation and therefore slow movement of the closure element  120  is generally felt to be more pleasant by the users of the sink  100  than a rapid opening or closing process.  
         [0152]     The angular distance between the positions of the rotary shaft  148  and the lever  144  in the closed position on the one hand and the open position on the other amounts to approximately 40° for example.  
         [0153]     The lever  144  strikes a respective lower or upper stop member in the closed position and in the open position of the closure element  120 .  
         [0154]     The electric servomotor  150  draws a larger current due to the blocking of the rotary shaft  148  upon reaching the upper or the lower stop member. This current increase is registered by the micro-controller of the control device  158 , whereupon the micro-controller switches the electric servomotor  150  off by opening the current supply circuit.  
         [0155]     The reaction of the micro-controller to the increase in current takes place within a very short time, within just a few milliseconds for example, thereby ensuring that the electric servomotor  150  is not loaded unnecessarily.  
         [0156]     Alternatively or in addition to a disconnection of the servomotor  150  due to an increase of the current, provision may also be made for the servomotor  150  to be switched off by means of limit switches, in particular, limiter push-button switches which are operated upon reaching the closed position or the open position.  
         [0157]     After opening the electric circuit, the micro-controller of the control device  158  commutates the polarity of the current supply circuit of the servomotor  150  so that the servomotor  150  will rotate in the respective other direction upon the next actuation of the actuating element  166  (thus, after a closing process by the closure element  120  back into the open position and after an opening process by the closure element  120  back into the closed position).  
         [0158]     The electric servomotor used may, for example, be a direct current small gear motor such as is sold under the type number 1.61.065.428 by the company Bühler Motor GmbH in 90212 Nürnberg, Germany. This motor is provided with a spur gear.  
         [0159]     In a variant of the previously described embodiment of a moving device for the closure element  120  of a sink  100 , provision could also be made for the waste outlet opening  108  of the auxiliary basin  106  of the sink  100  to likewise be provided with a closure element which is movable from the closed position into the open position or from the open position into the closed position by means of an additional drive unit which is likewise controlled by the control device  158 .  
         [0160]     In order to enable the drive units of the closure elements for the waste outlet opening  110  of the main basin  104  and for the waste outlet opening  108  of the auxiliary basin  106  to be operated independently of one another, provision may hereby be made for the actuating device  165  of the movement mechanism  183  to comprise two sensors  168  which are respectively associated with one of the closure elements  120  so that the actuation of the one sensor initiates a movement of the closure element  120  for the waste outlet opening  110  of the main basin  104  and the actuation of the other sensor initiates a movement of the closure element for the waste outlet opening  108  of the auxiliary basin  106 .  
         [0161]     As an alternative thereto, provision may be made for only one sensor  168  to be provided for the actuation of both closure elements  120 , whereby differentiating between which of the closure elements  120  is to be moved is effected on the basis of the manner in which the sensor  168  is actuated (so-called “intelligent control”).  
         [0162]     In particular, provision could be made for the one closure element to be moved in the event of a long duration of actuation of the sensor  168  and for the other closure element to be moved when the duration of the actuation is short.  
         [0163]     As an alternative thereto, provision could also be made for the micro-controller of the control device  158  to recognize which of the closure elements  120  is to be moved on the basis of the number of successive actuating actions occurring within a short period of time. Thus, provision could be made for a single actuating action to initiate a movement of the closure element  120  for the waste outlet opening  110  of the main basin  104 , whereas two actuating actions following each other within a given time span would initiate a movement of the closure element for the waste outlet opening  108  of the auxiliary basin  106 .  
         [0164]     Furthermore, in addition to the actuating process by means of the actuating element  166 , the movement mechanism  183  for the closure element or the closure elements  120  of the sink  100  could be triggered by an automatic actuating process upon the attainment of a predefined water level in the respectively associated basin  104  or  106  of the sink  100 .  
         [0165]     To this end, a (not illustrated) additional sensor is mounted on the relevant basin  104  or  106  in place of the conventional overflow valve.  
         [0166]     This sensor is in the form of a capacitive sensor and thus serves as a water alarm unit which produces an electrical signal that is passed on to the micro-controller of the control device  158  in response to a change in the capacitance thereof when the water level rises up into the proximity of the sensor.  
         [0167]     If this signal exceeds a given minimum period and thus indicates that the water in the particular basin  104  or  106  is continually at the height of the additional sensor, then the micro-controller of the control device  158  controls the electric servomotor  150  of the relevant drive unit  152  in such a way that the closure element  120  concerned is moved into the open position by rotating the rotary shaft  148 .  
         [0168]     In this way, the waste outlet opening of the basin concerned is opened so that the water can run off from this basin and overflowing of the water is prevented.  
         [0169]     A second embodiment of a movement mechanism  183  for the sink  100  which is illustrated in FIGS.  15  to  21  differs from the previously described first embodiment only in that, instead of an electric servomotor  150 , the drive unit  152  for effecting the movement of the closure element  120  comprises an electromagnet  184  which includes a (not illustrated) moveable armature that is moved—in dependence on the polarity of the current supply circuit for the electromagnet  184  that was set by the micro-controller—into one of two end positions of which a first is associated with the closed position of the closure element  120  and a second with the open position of the closure element  120  when the electromagnet  184  is switched-on by means of the micro-controller of the control device  158 .  
         [0170]     The moveable armature of the electromagnet  184  is connected by means of a Bowden cable  186  to the rotary shaft  148 , wherein the rotary shaft end of the wire core of the Bowden cable  186  engages the periphery of the rotary shaft  148  in the circumferential direction so that a linear movement of the wire core of the Bowden cable  186  results in a rotation of the rotary shaft  148  about the axis of rotation  146 .  
         [0171]     Thus, in the second embodiment, the closure element  120  is moved by means of the electromagnet  184  and the Bowden cable  186  from the open position into the closed position or from the closed position back into the open position when the actuating element  166  is operated in a suitable manner or if an overflow protection sensor  104 ,  106  arranged on one of the basins is triggered in like manner to that in which it was moved by means of the servomotor  150  in the first embodiment.  
         [0172]     In this embodiment too, the polarity of the current supply circuit for the electromagnet  184  is reversed by the micro-controller of the control device  158  after each movement of the closure element  120  in order to change the direction of motion of the closure element  120  for the next movement thereof.  
         [0173]     In all other respects, the second embodiment of a movement mechanism  183  for the closure element  120  of the waste outlet opening  110  of the sink  100  conforms in regard to the construction and functioning thereof with the first embodiment so that insofar as they are concerned reference should be made to the previous description.  
         [0174]     A third embodiment of a movement mechanism  183  for the closure element  120  of the waste outlet opening  110  of the basin  104  of the sink  100  that is illustrated in  FIG. 22  differs from the two previously described embodiments in that the movement mechanism  183  comprises, as an alternative or in addition to an actuating element  166  actuated by a user of the sink, an overflow sensor  188  which is arranged in the upper region of a side wall  190  of the main basin  104  of the sink  100 .  
         [0175]     The overflow sensor  188  is in the form of a capacitive sensor which is connected by means of a (not illustrated) signal line to the control device  158  of the movement mechanism  182  and sends a sensor signal to the control device  158  if the level  192  of the water in the basin  104  rises into the detection region of the overflow sensor  188 .  
         [0176]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, the overflow sensor  188  could also be in the form of a resistance measuring sensor that comprises two electrodes which are set into one side wall or into two side walls of the basin at the desired height and to which different electrical potentials are applied so that a current will flow as soon as the water in the basin  104  has risen up to the height at which the electrodes are arranged.  
         [0177]     The overflow sensor  188  can, in particular, be in the form of an analogue sensor whose sensor signal varies in dependence on the level  192  of the water in the basin  104  so that a certain level  192  can be associated with the magnitude of the sensor signal in each case.  
         [0178]     If the level  192  (and thus the magnitude of the sensor signal) exceeds a first threshold value, then the control device  158  controls the drive unit  152  of the actuating device  165  in such a way that the closure element  120  is moved from the closed position into an open position in which the water can flow out from the basin  104  through the waste outlet opening  110 .  
         [0179]     If, due to the drainage of the water from the basin  104 , the level  192  sinks below a second threshold value which is lower than the first threshold value, then the control device  158  controls the drive unit  152  in such a way that the closure element  120  is moved back from the open position into the closed position in which the closure element  120  seals the waste outlet opening  110  in such a way that no more water can flow out from the basin  104 .  
         [0180]     Due to the fact that the first and the second threshold values are different from one another, a switching hysteresis effect is obtained which results in a stable switching behaviour of the automatic control loop comprising the overflow sensor  188 , the control device  158  and the drive unit  152 .  
         [0181]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may also be made for a switching hysteresis effect to be produced by the provision of a dead time (by means of a delay element in the evaluating circuit of the sensor or in the control device  158 ).  
         [0182]     As an alternative thereto, provision may also be made for the overflow sensor  188  to be in the form of a digital sensor which sends a sensor signal of constant magnitude to the control device  158  as long as the level  192  is in the detection region of the overflow sensor  188 .  
         [0183]     As soon as such a digital overflow sensor  188  signals to the control device  158  that the level  192  in the basin  104  has risen into the detection region of the overflow sensor  188 , the control device  158  controls the drive unit  152  in such a way that the closure element  120  is moved into the open position and remains in the open position for a minimum period of opening. If, at the expiration of the minimum period of opening, the overflow sensor  188  is still signalling that the water is in its detection region, then the closure element  120  remains in the open position for a further given length of time, at the expiration of which the signal from the overflow sensor  188  is queried again. If, after the expiration of the given minimum period of opening or at the expiration of a further given length of time, the overflow sensor  188  is no longer signalling the presence of water in its detection region, then the control device  158  controls the drive unit  152  in such a way that the closure element  120  is moved back into the closed position.  
         [0184]     A stable switching behaviour of the movement mechanism  183  is obtained in this way.  
         [0185]     The process of controlling the drive unit  152  by the control device  158  can be effected in both cases, thus, when using an analogue or a digital overflow sensor  188 , with or without a time delay.  
         [0186]     If a sink  100  comprises several basins, an auxiliary basin  106  in addition to the main basin  104  for example, then each of these basins can be provided with a respective overflow sensor  188  which initiates a movement of the closure element  120  of the basin concerned into an open position in the event of a threshold value for the level  192  in the basin concerned being exceeded.  
         [0187]     An overflow of the water from the basin of the sink  100  that is being monitored with the help of a particular overflow sensor  188  is reliably prevented with the help of the overflow sensor  188 . The otherwise usual overflow opening can therefore be dispensed with in the case of basins being monitored with the help of an overflow sensor  188 .  
         [0188]     A fourth embodiment of the movement mechanism  183  that is illustrated in  FIG. 23  differs from the previously described third embodiment in that two overflow sensors  188  and  194  are arranged on a monitored basin  104  of the sink  100 , said sensors being arranged at different heights on one of the side walls  190  of the basin  104 . As an alternative thereto, the two overflow sensors  188 ,  194  could also be arranged on different side walls of the basin  104 .  
         [0189]     Both overflow sensors  188 ,  194  may be comprised by an analogue or a digital sensor.  
         [0190]     If the lower overflow sensor  194  signals to the control device that the level  192  has risen into its detection region, then the control device  158  controls the drive unit  152  in such a way that the closure element  120  is moved into a first open position in which the waste outlet opening  110  is partially opened for the drainage of water from the basin  104 .  
         [0191]     If, nevertheless, the level  192  continues to rise so that the upper overflow sensor  188  signals that the level  192  has reached its detection region, then the control device  158  controls the drive unit  152  in such a way that the closure element  120  is moved into a second open position in which the waste outlet opening  110  is completely opened for the drainage of water from the basin  104 .  
         [0192]     If, thereupon, the level  192  has dropped to such an extent that neither of the overflow sensors  188 ,  194  is signalling any longer the presence of water in its detection region, then the control device  158  controls the drive unit  152  in such a way that the closure element  120  is moved back into the closed position.  
         [0193]     This embodiment has the advantage that the level  192  in the basin  104  can be regulated more finely and the basin volume can be better utilised.  
         [0194]     Furthermore, the movement of the closure element  120  into the first open position serves as a preliminary warning to the user of the sink, this thereby drawing the user&#39;s attention to the excessive rise of the level  192 .  
         [0195]     Such a fine regulation of the level  192  can also be realized with just a single analogue overflow sensor  188 , if, in dependence on the sensor signal, the control device  158  initiates a movement of the closure element  120  into the first open position when a first threshold value is reached and initiates a movement of the closure element  120  into the second open position when a second threshold value lying above the first threshold value is reached.  
         [0196]     A fifth embodiment of the movement mechanism  183  that is illustrated in  FIG. 24  differs from the third embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 22  in that a second overflow sensor  196  is provided on the supervised basin  104  in addition to the first overflow sensor  188 , said second sensor being arranged at the same height as the first overflow sensor  188  on a further side wall  198  of the basin  104  opposite the side wall  190 .  
         [0197]     In this embodiment, the closure element  120  is only moved into the open position if both the overflow sensor  188  and the overflow sensor  196  signal the presence of water within their respective detection regions. The sensor signals from the two overflow sensors  188 ,  196  are thus logically AND-ed by the control device  158 .  
         [0198]     In this way, an individual overflow sensor  188  or  196  is prevented from causing an unnecessary opening of the waste outlet opening  110  due to a sensor signal which was triggered by splashes of water and/or a brief high-sloshing of the water.  
         [0199]     In a corresponding manner in the case of the fourth embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 23 , a further overflow sensor arranged at the same height on another side wall of the basin  104  could also be provided for each of the two overflow sensors  188 ,  194 , whereby the sensor signal from one of the overflow sensors  188  or  194  will only then be taken into consideration by the control device  158  if it is confirmed by the respective second sensor that is associated with the overflow sensor  188  or  194  concerned.  
         [0200]     A sixth embodiment of the movement mechanism  183  that is illustrated in  FIG. 25  differs from the fifth embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 24  in that the movement mechanism  183  additionally comprises a signal generator  200  which informs a user of the sink by means of a signal that is perceptible to the user of the fact that the closure element  120  is being moved by means of the drive unit  152 .  
         [0201]     The signal generator  200  can be an optical signal generator which produces a light signal (for example, by means of an LED). In order to protect the signal generator  200  from water splashes, provision is preferably made for the signal generator  200  to be arranged on the lower surface of the sink  100 . Then, in the case of an optical signal generator  200 , the thickness of the material in the region of the sink  100  located above the signal generator  200  is preferably made sufficiently thin as to let the light from the signal generator  200  penetrate through the sink  100 .  
         [0202]     As an alternative or in addition thereto, the signal generator  200  could also be in the form of an acoustic signal generator.  
         [0203]     Preferably, the signal generator  200  is formed in such a way that it can produce different signals in dependence on the respective operative state of the movement mechanism  183 .  
         [0204]     For example, provision may be made for an acoustic signal generator  200  to produce the following signals in dependence on the respective operative state of the movement mechanism  183 : 
        soft beep, whilst the closure element is being moved into the open position or into the closed position due to an actuation of the actuating device  165  by the user of the sink  100 ;     loud beep as a preliminary warning for the user if the level  192  in the basin  104  has reached a lower threshold value;     loud double beep, when the level  192  in the basin  104  has reached an upper threshold value and/or if the closure element  120  is moved into the open position or into the closed position automatically by the drive unit  152  due to a signal from one of the overflow sensors  188 ,  196 , i.e. without actuation of the actuating device  165  by the user.        
 
         [0208]     In the case of an optical signal generator  200 , the latter is preferably arranged on the sink  100  in the proximity of the actuating element  166  of the actuating device  165 , because the user pays special attention to this region of the sink.