Patent Description:
Sanitary fittings are commonly used in sanitary installations to allow users to dispense water. The sanitary fittings are mounted to a wash basin or a wall or other stationary objects arranged in the environment of the sanitary installation, thereby protruding from the mounting surface.

Although sanitary fittings mounted in the above described manner fulfil their primary function of dispensing water, protruding sanitary fittings hinder the user's movements near the sanitary installation and thereby reduce the space close to the sanitary installation available to the user.

Furthermore, although sanitary fittings are often seen as mere functional objects to dispense water, they are often aesthetically deigned to provide a visual object of interest.

It is therefore desirable to enhance the sanitary fitting to be less obtrusive and have a better visual appearance.

From <CIT> a sanitary fitting having a flexible spout is known. Inside the flexible spout the sanitary fitting comprises a valve stem which drives a valve plate at the base of the spout. Due to the flexibility of the spout a user may interact with the valve stem within the spout by moving the spout in order to release water. This document corresponds to the prior art mentioned in the preamble of claim <NUM> and discloses all the features mentioned therein.

From <CIT> a faucet with a swivelable spout comprising a water outlet is known. The faucet includes an infrared sensor for an automatic release of water. Furthermore, the faucet comprises a position sensor which detects the angular position of the spout and prevents any automatic release of water if the spout is swivelled to an "off zone" which is to the rear of the faucet.

<CIT> shows a faucet with a spout swivelable in two directions. The base end of the spout acts on a mechanical valve such that swivelling in one direction controls the water flow and swivelling in the other direction controls the water temperature.

<CIT> shows a mixing faucet with a faucet body in which a user controlled mixing valve is arranged. A barrel is connected to the faucet body via a barrel holding bush such that the barrel can be swivelled sideways and downwards in a two steps kinematic. A mechanical arrangement in the barrel holding bush cuts off a water passage to the barrel when the barrel is swivelled downwards.

<CIT> shows a faucet comprising a segmented water outlet tube, wherein each segment is connected to the neighbouring segment via a rotary joint with a separation plane skewed with respect to the tube cross section.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved sanitary fitting for dispensing water, which in particular may allow for a more space efficient design, while not compromising its functionality.

This object is achieved by a sanitary fitting for dispensing water according to claim <NUM>.

The water release device is configured to disallow the release of water from the water outlet segment when the water outlet segment is in a first position and to allow the release of water from the water outlet segment when the water outlet segment is in a second position.

By providing the water outlet segment with at least one degree of freedom between at least two positions it is possible to stow the water outlet segment into a more retracted position when it is not desired to dispense water. This gives the user more space when the sanitary fitting is not in use. Furthermore it provides an uncluttered and more appealing visual impression of the sanitary installation.

The first position represents the stowed position or a stand-by position. In this position the water outlet segment is typically retracted away from a sink or other means of water collection or disposal. Because the water cannot be collected and drained it is not desirable to dispense water in this position.

According to the invention the water release device therefore provides the function of disallowing the release of water from the water outlet segment when the water outlet segment is in the first position. This prevents water from being released in the first position, for example when a user unintentionally triggers a water release control element on the sanitary fitting or is not familiar with the ergonomics of the sanitary fitting.

The second position represents the functional or "active" state of the sanitary fitting, in which water is intended to be released. In this position the water outlet segment is positioned near a water drain. Any water released from the sanitary fitting in this state would be collected by the drain so that there is no safety requirement to stop water from being released when a user desires to dispense water. Therefore the valve of the water release device does not restrain the water outlet segment from releasing water in the second position.

However, positioning the water outlet segment into the second position does not necessarily trigger the water release. Further elements, such as further valves, can disallow the release of water from water outlet segment even when the water outlet segment is in the second position.

The stationary object of a sanitary installation which the base portion is configured to be mounted to can in particular be a wall or a wash basin. The object is stationary in that the object typically is not moved. This does not imply that the object cannot be moved, however, as the stationary object can also be an underbody or piece of furniture which can be moved if desired, for instance by means of wheels.

Advantageously the valve of the water release device is an electrically actuated valve and the water release device comprises a position sensor configured to detect the position of the water outlet segment and to operate together with the electrically actuated valve to disallow the release of water when the first position is detected and to allow the release of water when the second position is detected.

The position sensor detects the position of the water outlet segment and may communicate with a control unit. The control unit may then send signals to the electrically actuated valve to open and/or close an opening of the valve in order to allow or disallow the release of water.

Alternatively the valve of the water release device can be mechanically triggered when the water outlet segment is displaced, for example via a mechanical coupling between the water outlet segment and the valve of the water release device.

Advantageously the position sensor is an inclinometer which senses the inclination of the water outlet segment. Inclination is defined as the angle between the water outlet segment and a horizontal plane. Depending on the inclination of the water outlet segment, the water release device either allows or disallows the release of water. The inclination is determined as being zero when the water outlet segment is parallel to the horizontal plane.

Advantageously the second position, in which the release of water is allowed, is determined as the horizontal position of the water outlet segment having no inclination, as in this position the water outlet opening of the water outlet segment faces towards the water drainage. It is also feasible, however, that the water outlet segment is constructed such that the outlet opening faces towards the drain when the water outlet segment is not in the horizontal position, but rather for example in a vertical position. In this case the vertical position of the water outlet segment would be determined as the second position.

In general the second position is determined as the position in which the water outlet opening and hence the dispensed water stream is substantially directed vertically downwards and towards a water collection or a water drain means.

The second position can be determined as having an inclination within +-<NUM> ° with respect to the horizontal position, in particular within +- <NUM> °, in particular within +-<NUM> °, in particular within +-<NUM> °.

Alternatively the position sensor can also be an electrical contact which detects the first and/or the second position by making contact and creating a signal when in the first and/or the second position.

Advantageously the water outlet segment is moveable between the first position and the second position by displacing the water outlet segment relative to the main body.

Alternatively the water outlet segment can be displaced together with the main body relative to the base portion.

According to the invention the main body comprises a flexible section connected to the water outlet segment, via which flexible section the water outlet segment is displaceable by bending the flexible section in at least one direction.

The flexible section is configured such that when a user bends the flexible section a plastic deformation of the flexible section is affected. This allows the shape and/or orientation of the flexible section relative to the water outlet segment, the main body and the base portion to be changed by the user such that the change in shape and/or orientation of the ends of the flexible section remain until another change is conducted by the user. This allows the user to move the water outlet segment to a position in which it remains without having to manually hold the water outlet segment in that position.

Advantageously the displacement of the water outlet segment comprises a rotation of the water outlet segment and the main body with respect to the base portion about a substantially vertical axis x.

Therefore it is possible to move the water outlet segment between the first and second position by rotating the water outlet segment and the main body. This allows a simple and effective movement to stow the water outlet segment out of the way.

It is advantageous if the displacement between the first and the second position is a combination of a rotation of the water outlet segment and the main body about a vertical axis x and a movement of the water outlet segment relative to the base portion.

The rotation between a first rotational position and second rotational position can switch the sanitary fitting between an active mode and a stand-by mode, as described above. The rotation in addition to the movement of the water outlet segment relative to the base portion further enhances the stowability of the sanitary fitting and aesthetics of the sanitary fitting.

Advantageously the water release device comprises a rotational position sensor configured to detect a rotation of the main body with respect to the base portion and.

The stand-by mode can be a mode in which the user can easily visually identify that the sanitary fitting is inactive without knowing the specific ergonomics of the controls of the sanitary fitting. The active mode can be characterized for example by decorative lighting and/or illumination of optical control elements. In the inactive stand-by mode the lighting and the illumination can contrarily be turned off, visually signalling to the user that the sanitary fitting is not active.

The stand-by mode reduces energy-consumption of the sanitary fitting and may provide an additional safety measure, in that the user must first "activate" the sanitary fitting by rotating the sanitary fitting before water can be dispensed.

The rotational position sensor can be a single sensor which detects more than one rotational position of the main body. It can, however, also be an electromechanical switch which is contacted when the main body is rotated to a given position. In the latter case, only one position may be detected by the switch. By using more than one mechanical switch it is however also possible to detect a plurality of positions using electromechanical switches.

Advantageously in the first position of the water outlet segment at least a portion of the main body and the water outlet segment form a substantially closed loop shape. It is uncommon for elements of a sanitary fitting to form a closed loop, therefore creating an un-ordinary visual object of interest. Such a closed loop shape becomes possible with a water release safety mechanism according to the invention described above.

Advantageously the sanitary fitting further comprises an operating element by means of which the volume flow and/or the temperature of the water to be released from the sanitary fitting can be controlled by a user.

Advantageously the operating element is a touch element, such as a capacitive sensor, which a user operates by merely touching and/or sliding over the touch element with at least a portion of the user's hand, such as a finger. The operating element can also be a switch, dial or knob, which can be turned or moved manually by the user.

Advantageously the operating element is arranged on the water outlet segment in view of the user. However it is possible to arrange the operating element on another portion of the sanitary fitting, such as on the main body.

The operating element is advantageously configured such that the water temperature and/or volume flow is adjusted by sliding the user's finger across at least a portion of the operating element, wherein this movement across the surface of the operating element increases or decreases the water temperature and/or volume flow.

The control of water temperature and/or volume flow on the operating element can be distinguished from one another in that the control of water temperature is achieved by sliding a finger in a direction that differs from the direction in which a finger is slid to control the volume flow.

It is also possible to combine the control of water temperature and volume flow in that the volume flow of hot water can be controlled via one operating movement, such as sliding a finger across a surface of the operating element, and the volume flow of cold water can be controlled via another operating movement.

<FIG> shows a sanitary fitting <NUM> with a main body <NUM>, a water outlet segment <NUM> and base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> comprises a bezel <NUM> and mounting portion <NUM>, via which the base portion <NUM> can be mounted to a wash basin <NUM> (compare <FIG>), wall or any other stationary object of a sanitary installation with fixture means not displayed in <FIG>, such as a bolt and a corresponding nut.

The main body <NUM> comprises a bottom portion <NUM> rotatably connected to the base portion <NUM>, a top portion <NUM> and a flexible section <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> is u-shaped and provides two paths for the water to be ejected from the sanitary fitting <NUM>. The main path leads to the water outlet segment <NUM> connected to the top portion <NUM> of the main body <NUM> via the flexible section <NUM>. The water is ejected from an outlet opening <NUM>.

The top portion <NUM> also provides a path to a second water outlet segment <NUM>, which is detachably connected to the main body <NUM> via a hose arranged within the top portion <NUM>.

The user can grasp the second water outlet segment <NUM> and remove it from the main body <NUM>. The water can be release from the second water outlet segment <NUM> by means of an operating element <NUM>, which the user can activate by touching or pressing. This may trigger a diverter which may be arranged in the top portion <NUM>, for instance by pressure activation known from the state of the art.

The sanitary fitting <NUM> further comprises a water release device comprising a position sensor <NUM> and a rotation sensor <NUM> which communicate with a control unit <NUM> connected to the sensors <NUM> and <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> sends signals to a valve <NUM> via a connection to allow and disallow water release from the water outlet segment <NUM> depending on the position of the water release segment <NUM> detected by the position sensor <NUM> and the rotation sensor <NUM>.

The dashed lines in <FIG> depict the water outlet segment <NUM> in a substantially vertical position, resembling an inactive first position A. The water outlet segment <NUM> can be can be displaced from the first position A to an active second position B in a direction D by bending the flexible section <NUM>. A position sensor <NUM> configured as an inclinometer is arranged within the water outlet segment <NUM> and detects whether the water outlet segment <NUM> is in position A or B.

When the water outlet segment <NUM> is in position A the position sensor <NUM> detects an inclination which substantially deviates from a horizontal position. The position sensor <NUM> therefore disallows the release of water via the valve <NUM>.

When the water outlet segment <NUM> is in position B the position sensor <NUM> does not detect an inclination which substantially deviates from a horizontal position. The position sensor <NUM> therefore allows the release of water via the valve <NUM>.

Furthermore the water outlet segments <NUM>, <NUM> and the main body <NUM> can also be rotated about a vertical axis x by a rotation R between the positions A' and B'. The base portion <NUM> remains stationary during the rotation. This rotation can resemble switching the sanitary fitting between a "stand-by" mode and an "active" mode. As can be seen in <FIG>, this rotational movement brings the water outlet segment to rest above a water drain <NUM> of the wash basin <NUM> in position B'.

The rotational sensor <NUM> arranged near the main body <NUM> and the base portion <NUM> detects the rotation of the main body <NUM>. When the main body <NUM> is in position A' the rotational sensor <NUM> disallows the release of water via a valve <NUM>.

When the main body <NUM> and the water outlet segment <NUM> are in position B' the rotational sensor <NUM> does not disallow the release of the water via the valve <NUM>. However if in this case the water outlet segment <NUM> is in position A then the position sensor <NUM> disallows the release of water from the water outlet segment <NUM>.

Therefore, in order for water to be allowed to be released from the valve <NUM> the main body <NUM> and the water outlet segment <NUM> must be in rotational position B' and the water outlet segment <NUM> must also be in position B. Otherwise the position sensor <NUM> and/or the rotational sensor <NUM> will disallow the release of water.

The sanitary fitting <NUM> can also include further valves or other water flow restricting elements that are controllable via an operating element <NUM> arranged on the surface of the water outlet segment <NUM> and also connected to the control unit <NUM>. By means of the operating element <NUM> the volume flow and/or the temperature of the water to be released can be adjusted by a user.

Alternatively the operating element <NUM> can be arranged on a portion of the main body <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side view of the sanitary fitting <NUM> of <FIG>. The water outlet segment is also depicted in the first position A in which water release is disallowed and in the second position in which water release is allowed.

Claim 1:
A sanitary fitting (<NUM>) for dispensing water, comprising:
a) a main body (<NUM>);
b) a base portion (<NUM>) configured to be non-rotatably mounted to a stationary object of a sanitary installation;
c) a water outlet segment (<NUM>) to eject water from the sanitary fitting (<NUM>), wherein the water outlet segment (<NUM>) is displaceable between at least two positions (A; A', B; B') with respect to the base portion (<NUM>); and
d) a water release control element, which can be triggered by a user for releasing water from the water outlet segment (<NUM>),
e) a water release device comprising a valve (<NUM>) for allowing or disallowing the release of water from the water outlet segment (<NUM>),
wherein
f) the water release device is configured to disallow the release of water from the water outlet segment (<NUM>) when the water outlet segment (<NUM>) is in a first position (A; A') and to allow the release of water from the water outlet segment (<NUM>) when the water outlet segment (<NUM>) is in a second position (B; B') such that water can be ejected from the water outlet segment (<NUM>) when the water release control element is triggered by the user.
g) the water outlet segment (<NUM>) is moveable between the first position (A) and the second position (B) by displacing the water outlet segment (<NUM>) relative to the main body ( <NUM>),
h) the main body (<NUM>) comprises a flexible section (<NUM>) connected to the water outlet segment (<NUM>), via which flexible section (<NUM>) the water outlet segment (<NUM>) is displaceable by bending the flexible section (<NUM>) in at least one direction, characterized in that
i) the flexible section is configured such that when a user bends it, a plastic deformation of the flexible section is affected, thereby allowing the user to move the water outlet segment to a position in which it remains without having to manually hold the water outlet segment in that position.