Patent Description:
Many water related systems require interaction with fluid and require the use of user-operable inputs. Many water related systems require the use of a controller to allow the user to control specific characteristics of water flow within the water related system. For example, the controller may allow a user input to control the temperature, to control the flow rate and outlet of water flow in the water related system and/or to provide inputs to navigate a menu on the controller.

It is known to provide mechanical controllers, for example, a controller operable using spring mechanisms. It is also known to use mechanical switches and buttons in mechanical controllers. Such known controllers can take up a lot of space resulting in a bulky device. There is scope for providing a controller with a user input which has improved operability and reliability and which may take up less space.

<CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose background art.

For use in a wet environment, extra precautions must be taken to seal controllers from that environment and the user. It is known that degradation of mechanical controllers and mechanical switches and buttons over time may be expedited by a surrounding wet environment. There is scope for providing a controller which reduces the effect of the wet environment on the features of the controller relating to the user input.

According to the present invention, there is provided a controller as defined in appended claim <NUM>.

The present invention is based on an understanding of issues relating to the use of a controller in a wet environment. The present invention provides a control unit comprising a position determining device as part of a controller configured to reduce the effect of the wet environment on the position determining device and on the durability of the controller. Control of certain characteristics of water, such as the temperature of water in a shower system, may be of high importance and may require a robust controller with a minimum required degree of accuracy. Temperature control, for example, has associated health and safety implications, thus the control of such a characteristic requires a controller which is capable of meeting minimum accuracy and durability requirements.

By providing a control unit and an input member as described above, the position determining device can be maintained in a dry environment such that the integrity of the position determining device is maintained. Additionally, the input member may be easily detached and reinserted as the controller may use magnets to keep the input member in place as well as being used to control movement of the input member. Using magnets to move the input member back to a neutral position improves the operability for the user because after each input, the input member will return to the neutral position allowing the user to then input a further input. The improved operability may also mean that the user has a pleasant inputting experience due to the feel generated by the use of at least one magnet pair as the input member is moved from the neutral position. Furthermore, degradation of mechanical switches and buttons in the controller can occur due to the wet environment meaning that motion of the input member can be impaired and it can become difficult to move the input member. However, using magnets may be more robust and may reduce such degradation and its effects making them more reliable. Additionally, the use of the magnets allows for a more simple design and advantageously, the magnets should last the whole life of the controller.

The position determining device comprises a sensor comprising an emitting unit configured to emit a signal and a detecting unit configured to detect the signal. The input member or the control unit comprises a reflector arranged to reflect the signal towards the detecting unit and the controller is configured to determine the position of the input member based on the reflected signal. In this way, signals rather than mechanical switches can be used to determine a user input. This is beneficial because it means that the use of mechanical switches, which can be more significantly affected by a wet environment than using the above described sensors, can be avoided or reduced. Additionally, mechanical switches may be bulkier than corresponding sensors and may be prone to failure, and are therefore, preferably avoided.

The sensor is optical, infrared or ultrasonic. These types of sensor may all provide signals which can be used to determine the user input. These types of sensor have the advantage that it can be optimised depending on available signal strength and signal dispersion for that type of sensor.

The use of optical, infrared or ultrasonic sensors have the advantages as described above. Signals rather than mechanical switches can be used to determine a user input. This is beneficial because it means that the use of mechanical switches, which can be more significantly affected by a wet environment and can be bulky, can be avoided or reduced. Optical, infrared or ultrasonic sensors may all provide signals which can be used to determine the user input. Each type of sensor may have the advantage that it can be optimised depending on available signal strength and signal dispersion for that type of sensor.

The input member is movable relative to the control unit between a neutral position and a displaced position or multiple displaced positions. In this way, the input member is movable relative to the control unit to predetermined positions which means that the position of the input member may be more easily and accurately determined than if the input member is expected to move to and be detected at any point with respect to the control unit.

The controller comprising a mechanical spring configured to apply a force to return the input member to the neutral position improves the operability for the user because after each input, the input member will return to the neutral position allowing the user to then input a further input.

The controller comprising at least one magnet pair configured to apply a force to return the input member to the neutral position has the advantages as described above. The at least one magnet pair may be provided additionally or alternatively to the mechanical spring. Using magnets to move the input member back to a neutral position improves the operability for the user because after each input, the input member will return to the neutral position allowing the user to then input a further input. The improved operability may also mean that the user has a pleasant inputting experience due to the feel generated by the use of at least one magnet pair to the neutral position.

Preferably, the controller comprises two magnet pairs. Providing additional magnet pairs provides greater stability because the multiple magnet pairs can be used to keep the input member in the desired place. This may be particularly useful for certain configurations where two or more magnet pairs are used to improve stability as well as feel for the user moving the input member to make an input, i.e. the use of two magnet pairs may provide a more pleasant feel that one magnet pair.

Additionally, the magnet pairs may provide slightly different functions, for example, depending on the movement of the input member, at least one of the magnet pairs may be used to keep the input member in place, i.e. substantially next to the control unit to prevent the input member from falling away from the control unit, whereas the other magnet pair may apply a force to move the input member back to the neutral position. The second magnet pair may provide a damping effect such that the connection between the input member and the control unit can be damped to provide an elastic connection.

The input member may comprise a reflector arranged to reflect the signal towards the detecting unit when the input member is in the neutral or the displaced position. Alternatively, the control unit may comprise a reflector arranged to reflect the signal towards the detecting unit and the input member comprises a non-reflecting portion configured to block reflection of the signal when the input member is in the neutral or the displaced position. Providing the reflector on the input member or the control unit allows components of the sensor to be positioned in a convenient location depending on where the signal needs to be emitted from and where the reflected signal need to be detected.

Preferably, the input relates to a desired value of the characteristic of water flow being controlled. This means that the user can use the input member to alter characteristics of water flow. This allows the user to alter the water flow such that it has the desired characteristics of the user, e.g. water temperature and/or flow rate, etc.. The input may be used to navigate menu options provided by the controller.

Optionally, the characteristic of water flow being controlled is the temperature of the water flow and/or flow rate of the water flow. It may be particularly beneficial to control these features of water flow because these may be of particular importance for a user depending on the type of water system the controller is being used for. For example, if the water system is a shower, then the control of the temperature is not only desired, it has corresponding health and safety regulations to ensure that the water is at a safe temperature that will not harm the user.

Optionally, the controller further comprises a coupling portion configured to couple the housing and the input member. In this way, the input member may be kept in position relative to other components of the controller, such as the control unit, or more particularly, the position determining device. Furthermore, this means that the housing is multifunctional in that it can be used to separate the control unit from the input member and seal the other components of the control unit whilst also keeping the input member in the desired positions.

Preferably, the input member is movable relative to the control unit between a neutral position and more than one displaced position, preferably two displaced positions, or three displaced positions, or four displaced positions or more. Having more than one predefined displaced position means that the input member may be used to input the user input in a variety of different ways. For example, the input member may be used to go up and down menu options, e.g. to select or edit a user or device profile, and/or to control a timer, and/or to alter or select a characteristic of the water in the water related device, e.g. to control the temperature.

Preferably, the controller further comprises a barrier and/or a back element configured to limit displacement of the input member. In this way, the input member is kept in place with respect to the housing and is limited to moving to certain predefined positions, i.e. the neutral position and the displaced position(s). Limiting the movement of the input member allows the displaced position(s) to be more easily defined such that the sensors will provide more reliable readings and the user input can be accurately determined. Preferably, the controller comprises a bayonet type connection between the control unit and the back element. This allows parts of the controller to be easily removed and replaced without damaging the controller or the connection. Thus, certain portions of the controller may be repaired, replaced, or customised more easily by the user.

Optionally, the control unit comprises pin connectors to provide means for electrically connecting the controller to an electricity source. This allows the electrical connection to the controller even when the control unit is rotated relative to other components of the controller. The control unit may be rotated relative to the electricity source, for example if the control unit is connected to the back element using a bayonet type connection.

Preferably, the controller further comprises a removable band around the housing. This may be switched with other bands by the user and allows the user to easily customise the controller according to their preference.

The controller may be incorporated in any appropriate water related system or device, particularly those to be situated in wet environments. The controller is particularly useful in an electrical unit. The present invention further provides a water related system comprising a controller as described above.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-.

The same references are used for similar features throughout the drawings. The features shown in the figures are not necessarily to scale and the size or arrangements depicted are not limiting. It will be understood that not all of the features of the controller are depicted on each figure and the figures may only show a few of the components relevant for a describing a particular feature.

The present invention can be useful for any water related system, especially one that requires the controller to be positioned in a wet environment, i.e. to interact with water or a very humid environment. The present invention provides a controller that can be used to control water flow in a water related system and wherein the controller can be sealed effectively from the wet environment.

A first embodiment is provided in accordance with the invention. <FIG> illustrates a configuration of a controller <NUM> in accordance with the first embodiment. The controller <NUM> is provided for a water related system. he controller <NUM> is configured to control a characteristic of water flow in the water related system. The controller <NUM> comprises a control unit <NUM> comprising a sensor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> also comprises an input member <NUM> being moveable relative to the control unit <NUM> between a neutral position and displaced position. The controller <NUM> is configured to determine the position (i.e. the location) of the input member <NUM>. As such, the controller <NUM> may determine when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position and/or the displaced position. The controller <NUM> is configured to determine an input based on the position of the input member <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> also comprises at least one magnet pair <NUM> configured to apply a force to the input member <NUM> to position the input member <NUM> in the neutral position. For example, the user may move the input member <NUM> to the displaced position and then release the input member <NUM>, in which case, the at least one magnet pair <NUM> may apply a force to the input member <NUM> to move the input member <NUM> to the neutral position. In other words, the input member <NUM> is self-centring.

The controller <NUM> may determine the input based on the position of the input member <NUM>. The input may relate to a desired value of the characteristic of water flow being controlled by the controller <NUM>. For example, a desired set value, such as a desired temperature or a desired flow rate. Additionally or alternatively, the input may relate to various controls to navigate options, for example menu options, provided by the controller <NUM>. For example, the input may correlate to a movement in a list of options and/or a selection of an option. The options may be displayed on a user interface <NUM>, e.g. a display screen. The user interface <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>, but may not be included in the controller <NUM> of <FIG> and/or may be included in the controller depicted in any of the other figures. Thus, for example, the input may be used to navigate options to allow selection of a value of a characteristic of water flow, or may be used to navigate options relating to settings of the controller <NUM>, such as time and date settings. The user may easily navigate the options displayed using the input member <NUM> to make an input. The controller <NUM> may determine the input from the input member <NUM> being moved to at least one displaced position, otherwise known as an active state.

The input member <NUM> may be positioned in a neutral position as shown in <FIG>. The arrow in <FIG> indicates the possible movement of the input member <NUM>. The input member <NUM> may be moved from the neutral position to a displaced position, for example, to the displaced position as depicted in <FIG> includes an arrow showing possible movement of the input member <NUM> back to the neutral position as in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the movement of the input member <NUM> may be a rotation of the input member <NUM> around a main axis <NUM> of the controller <NUM>. The input member <NUM> may be moved to multiple displaced positions, i.e. different displaced positions may be used to indicate different inputs. Although only one displaced position may be referred to throughout the description, this is indicative of one of multiple displaced positions to which the input member <NUM> could be moved to.

The main axis <NUM> of the controller <NUM> may be defined as an axis approximately through the centre of the control unit <NUM>. Thus, the main axis <NUM> may otherwise be referred to as a central axis. The main axis <NUM> is not limited to being substantially central through the control unit <NUM> and could be located in different positions depending on different shapes of the controller <NUM>. The main axis <NUM> may be substantially perpendicular to a surface of the controller <NUM>, for example, the main axis <NUM> may be approximately perpendicular to a surface of a back element <NUM> and/or a housing <NUM> of the control unit <NUM> (both of which are described in more detail below). The main axis may be defined as the axis around which the input member <NUM> rotates.

As depicted in <FIG> the control unit <NUM> may further comprise the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is part of the control unit <NUM> and other components of the control unit <NUM> may reside within the housing <NUM> or may be a part of or attached to the housing <NUM>. The input member <NUM> may be separate from the housing <NUM>. This allows relative movement between the input member <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> such that the control unit <NUM> can be moved between a neutral position and a displaced position and can be used to determine an input as described above. The neutral position and the displaced position may thus be defined with respect to the control unit <NUM> and may be located in any predetermined location(s) with respect to the control unit <NUM>. The housing <NUM> provides a "dry-zone", i.e. the housing <NUM> allows the controls and electronics of the control unit <NUM> to be sealed and kept separate from the wet environment, i.e. a "wet-zone". The input member <NUM> is located in the wet-zone whereas the controls and electronics are kept in dry-zone. This has the advantage that the electronics are kept safe in the housing, which is preferably a sealed body, whilst allowing for detection of movement of the input member <NUM> in the wet-zone outside the housing.

Preferably, the input member <NUM> is separate from the control unit <NUM>. This allows the relative movement between the input member <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> as described above. In use, the input member <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the control unit <NUM>, or more particularly, adjacent to an outer surface of the housing <NUM> of the control unit <NUM>, for example, as depicted in <FIG>. The position of the input member <NUM> adjacent to the control unit <NUM> may be maintained due to the attraction of forces between the control unit <NUM> and the input member <NUM> due to the magnet pair <NUM> as described below.

As depicted in <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> preferably comprises at least one barrier in order to limit displacement of the input member <NUM>. For example, barrier 18a may be provided to limit movement of the input member <NUM> when moving away from the neutral position, i.e. to limit movement in a same direction as the arrow in <FIG>. This barrier 18a may prevent the input member <NUM> from moving to a position further away from the neutral position than the defined displaced position. The barrier 18a may be a protrusion of the housing <NUM> or a component attached to the outside of the housing <NUM>. Limiting the range of movement of the input member <NUM> may be beneficial in that the input member <NUM> may be moved between a neutral position and a predetermined displaced position such that movement of the input member <NUM> is more easily detected. In other words, at least one barrier 18a may be used to define the displaced position.

The input member <NUM> should return to the neutral position due to the attractive forces between the magnets of the magnet pair <NUM>. However, the control unit optionally comprises a further barrier 18b to also limit movement of the input member <NUM> to define the neutral position, i.e. to limit movement in a same direction as the arrow in <FIG>. This helps ensure that the input member <NUM> is not pushed past the neutral position depicted in <FIG> and allows the input member <NUM> to stay within a predetermined range in which the magnet pair <NUM> are known to effectively provide a force to return the input member <NUM> to the neutral position. In other words, when the input member is moved to between the barrier 18a and the further barrier 18b, the magnet pair <NUM> should provide a force to return the input member <NUM> to the neutral position when the user releases the input member <NUM>. Thus, the barrier 18a and the further barrier 18b allow the input member <NUM> to move between two distinct positions, i.e. the neutral position and the displaced position, with a range of movement between these two positions. The further barrier 18b may be a protrusion of the housing <NUM> or a component attached to the outside of the housing <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> comprises a magnet pair <NUM>, for example, as depicted in <FIG>. As will be clear from <FIG>, the magnet pair <NUM> comprises a first magnet 14a and a second magnet 14b. As depicted in <FIG>, the first magnet 14a may be provided on or in the control unit <NUM>, thus the first magnet 14a may be attached to the control unit <NUM>. The second magnet 14b may be on or in the input member <NUM>, thus the second magnet 14b may be attached to the input member <NUM>. The magnet pair may be configured to apply an attractive force on one another. This has the advantage that the input member <NUM> is kept in position adjacent or near to the control unit <NUM> by the attraction of the magnet pair <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, when the input member is in the neutral position, the first magnet 14a and the second magnet 14b are substantially aligned. When the first magnet 14a and the second magnet 14b are within a certain distance of each other, they apply attractive forces on each other. The first magnet 14a and the second magnet 14b are arranged such that the attractive forces act to position the input member <NUM> in the neutral position. The further barrier 18b may apply an additional force and the combination of forces due to the first magnet 14a, the second magnet 14b and the interaction of the input member <NUM> and the further barrier 18b may cause the input member <NUM> to be positioned in the neutral position in <FIG>.

As the user moves the input member <NUM> in the direction of the arrow depicted in <FIG>, the second magnet 14b is moved away from the first magnet 14a toward the displaced position depicted in <FIG>. Thus, the first magnet 14a and the second magnet 14b are no longer aligned. Due to the position of the input member <NUM> in <FIG>, the first magnet 14a and the second magnet 14b will apply an attractive force to each other to move the input member <NUM> from the displaced position in <FIG> to the neutral position in <FIG>. Thus, an external force is required to move the input member <NUM> from the neutral position in <FIG> to the displaced position in <FIG>. The external force may be applied by a user input, for example by using their hand to push down the input member <NUM> in the direction of the arrow in <FIG>. When the user releases the input member <NUM>, the first magnet 14a and the second magnet 14b attract one another to move the input member <NUM> back to the neutral position. Thus, user input is not required to move the input member <NUM> from the displaced position in <FIG> back to the neutral position in <FIG> because of the attractive forces of the magnet pair <NUM>. It is noted that the controller <NUM> may additionally comprise a spring (not depicted) to help move the input member <NUM> back to the neutral position.

The position determining device may comprise a sensor <NUM> comprising an emitting unit 11a configured to emit a signal <NUM> and a detecting unit 11b configured to detect the signal <NUM>, for example, as depicted in <FIG>. As depicted in <FIG> the control unit <NUM> may comprise a reflector <NUM> arranged to reflect the signal <NUM> towards the detecting unit 11b. Thus as depicted in <FIG>, when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position, the signal <NUM> is emitted from emitting unit 11a, the signal <NUM> is reflected from the reflector <NUM> and detected by the detecting unit 11b.

When used with a sensor <NUM> as described, the housing is adapted to allow the signal to pass through the housing <NUM> in at least one predefined location. For example, at least a part of the housing <NUM> is preferably transparent or translucent. The housing may comprise portions and recesses in which parts of the input member <NUM> may be positioned and moved and the signal <NUM> may pass through these portions and recesses of the housing <NUM> such that the housing <NUM> itself does not prevent the signal <NUM> being detected by the detecting unit 11b.

The input member <NUM> may comprise an input member barrier. As depicted in <FIG> for example, the input member barrier may be a protrusion <NUM>. As the input member <NUM> is moved into the displaced position in <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM>, as part of the input member <NUM> moves also. The controller <NUM> may be arranged such that when the input member <NUM> is in the displaced position, the protrusion <NUM> prevents reflection of the signal <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM> may be arranged to pass between the sensor <NUM> and the reflector <NUM> when the input member is moved to the displaced position. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed of, or may be coated by a non-reflecting material such that the signal <NUM> is not reflected and cannot be detected by the detecting unit 11b when the protrusion <NUM> is positioned between the sensor <NUM> and the reflector <NUM>. Optionally, no barrier (such as barriers 18a and 18b) may be provided on the surface of the housing <NUM>. Instead, movement of the input member <NUM> may be limited by possible movement of the protrusion <NUM> within the recess <NUM>.

In this way, the signal <NUM> will be detected by the sensor <NUM> when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position (<FIG>), but the signal will not be detected by the sensor <NUM> when the input member <NUM> is in the displaced position (<FIG>). Thus, the controller <NUM> may determine the position of the input member <NUM> depending on whether or not the signal <NUM> is detected by the detecting unit 11b. Furthermore, the controller <NUM> may then be configured to determine an input, for example a user input as described above, based on the position of the input member, i.e. based on whether or not the input member is in the neutral position or the displaced position.

As depicted in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> detects the reflected signal <NUM> when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position and the signal <NUM> is not detected when the input member <NUM> is in the displaced position. However, the controller <NUM> could be configured to operate in a variety of different ways for example, the controller <NUM> could be arranged to detect the reflected signal <NUM> when the input member <NUM> is in the displaced position. In particular, the position of the sensor <NUM> and the reflector <NUM> can be changed with respect to the control unit <NUM> and the input member <NUM> as will be described in more detail below. Generally, the input member <NUM> or the control unit <NUM> comprises the reflector <NUM> to reflect the signal <NUM> towards the detecting unit 11b. The controller <NUM> is configured to determine the position of the input member <NUM> based on the reflected signal <NUM> because the position of the reflector <NUM> with respect to the sensor <NUM> is known meaning that when the signal <NUM> is detected or is not detected, the input member <NUM> must be in one or other of the predetermined neutral or displaced positions and the controller can determine this due to detection or lack of detection of a signal.

As previously indicated, the input member <NUM> is separate from the housing <NUM>. As such, the protrusion <NUM> of the input member <NUM> may extend or project into the housing <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may sit within the recess <NUM> of a portion of the housing <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. Recess <NUM> is a cavity in the housing <NUM> configured to provide space for the protrusion <NUM>. As is shown in <FIG>, the input member <NUM> may move such that the projection passes between the emitting unit 11a of the sensor and the reflector <NUM> a described above. The emitting unit 11a can emit the signal <NUM> through the housing <NUM> of the control unit <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>, however, the signal <NUM> may be blocked by the protrusion <NUM> of the input member <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the sensor <NUM> is optical, infrared or ultrasonic. Using these types of sensor allows the signal <NUM> to be generated by the emitting unit 11a and to be directed towards the reflector <NUM> and reflected such that it can be detected by the detecting unit 11b. Additionally, these types of sensor may provide a signal <NUM> strong enough to pass though the housing <NUM> to and from the reflector <NUM> as described above whilst still being reliably detected by the detecting unit 11b. Providing such types of sensor can be beneficial in that they do not rely on mechanical parts which may become faulty over time. Thus, they are more robust and as such can last longer and are likely to require more infrequent replacement and/or repairs than position determining devices relying on mechanical parts.

The controller <NUM> may optionally comprise a printed circuit board <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> may optionally be located on a printed circuit board <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. The printed circuit board <NUM> may be connected via any electrical connection, as described in further detail below. The printed circuit board <NUM> is only depicted in <FIG> but could be included in any of the other Figures. The sensor <NUM> may be positioned on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be attached to the printed circuit board <NUM>, for example, using an adhesive.

The emitting unit 11a and the detecting unit 11b may both located on the same surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>, for example, the emitting unit 11a and the detecting unit 11b may be located side by side, i.e. to emit and receive the signal in a plane approximately parallel to the direction of movement of the input member. However, alternatively, the emitting unit 11a could be placed on one surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>, and the detecting unit 11b could be placed on another surface of the printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the emitting unit 11a could be positioned on a top surface 8a of the printed circuit board <NUM> and the detecting unit 11b could be positioned on a bottom surface 8b of the printed circuit board <NUM> (or vice versa). As such, the signal <NUM> may be emitted at an angle from the top surface 8a to be detected on the bottom surface 8b (or vice versa). In this context the top and bottom surface refer to the orientation depicted in <FIG> but could in fact be any orientation depending on the positioning of the controller <NUM> overall. Arranging the emitting unit 11a and the detecting unit 11b on different surfaces of the printed circuit board <NUM> means that the detecting unit 11b can be shielded by the printed circuit board <NUM> from signals from other sources allowing more accurate detection of the signal <NUM>. It will be understood that the printed circuit board <NUM> may be used in this way because it allows an efficient use of space within the controller <NUM>, however other components, or a component, may be specifically placed to shield the emitter unit 11a from the detector unit 11b instead.

In this embodiment, the controller <NUM> may comprise a back element <NUM> configured to limit displacement of the input member <NUM>. This arrangement is depicted in <FIG>. The back element <NUM> may be configured to prevent movement of the input member <NUM> in a direction away from the control unit <NUM>, i.e. in the direction of the arrow depicted in <FIG>, corresponding to the direction out of the page in <FIG>. The back element <NUM> may limit movement by not allowing any movement in this direction, i.e. by only allowing movement of the input member <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the main axis <NUM> of the controller <NUM> (indicated by the arrows in <FIG>), and restricting or preventing movement of the input member <NUM> in a direction along the main axis <NUM> (indicated by the arrow in <FIG>). There may be an opening at the edge of the back element <NUM> (i.e. along the side of the back element <NUM>) to allow movement of the input member <NUM> into the neutral position as well as the relevant displaced position(s) and the edges of the opening may be used to restrict or prevent movement of the input member <NUM>.

The back element <NUM> may also be configured such that it is easily attached to a wall such that the controller <NUM> can be mounted on the wall. The back element <NUM> may comprise holes through which fitting screws can be screwed into a surface or wall in order to mount the controller <NUM>. The back element <NUM> could optionally be connected to or be formed as part of the housing <NUM>.

As described above, the input member <NUM> may be arranged to rotate around the main axis <NUM> of the controller <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the input member <NUM> may comprise a coupling portion <NUM> configured to couple the housing <NUM> and the input member <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> of the input member <NUM> may connect the input member <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. In this example the coupling portion <NUM> of the input member <NUM> is a circular protrusion of the input member <NUM> which sits within a recess portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> is configured to allow the input member <NUM> to rotate around the main axis <NUM> but is configured to prevent translation of the input member <NUM> parallel to a surface of the housing <NUM>. Although the input member is coupled to the housing <NUM> using a circular protrusion as a coupling portion <NUM> of the input member <NUM> and a recess portion <NUM> of the housing, the coupling portion could be an opening in the input member <NUM> around a protrusion of the housing <NUM>. Another exemplary coupling mechanism could be or a ball and socket joint in which the ball is a coupling portion which is located on the input member <NUM> or the control unit <NUM> and the socket portion is a coupling portion located on the other of the control unit <NUM> or the input member <NUM> respectively.

As depicted in figured 1a-1c, the input member <NUM> may be a lever arm and may have an elongated shape. The input member <NUM> could otherwise be referred to as a lever. The input member <NUM> may protrude from the side of the control unit <NUM> to allow the user to interact with the portion 20a of the input member outside of the control unit <NUM>. The input member <NUM> may vary in thickness along the length of the input member <NUM>. For example, the input member <NUM> may have a thicker portion 20a at the end of the input member <NUM> protruding form the control unit <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>. The shape of the input member <NUM> is not limiting and various different shapes could be used. Slight variations of the elongated shape is depicted in <FIG>. The input member <NUM> may comprise a circular portion 20b as depicted in <FIG>. The circular portion 20b could be provided around the outside of the housing <NUM>/control unit <NUM>. Such a circular portion 20b could otherwise be referred to as a collar or bezel. The circular portion 20b may be gripped by the user to input the user input. Therefore, the input member <NUM> may not need a portion 20a extending out of the control unit <NUM>, although such a portion 20a could be provided in addition to the circular portion as depicted in <FIG>.

Arranging the controller <NUM> such that the input member <NUM> has rotational movement with respect to the control unit <NUM> as described above is beneficial because the input member <NUM> can easily move between the neutral position and the displaced position. Having rotational movement may reduce the likelihood of the input member <NUM> becoming stuck or difficult to move compared to if other types of movement are used. However, various methods for keeping the input member <NUM> in place in relation to the control unit <NUM> may be used. The input member <NUM> may be moved relative to the control unit <NUM> in a way that comprises translation as well as rotation. For example, the input member <NUM> may be translated in a plane parallel to a surface of the housing <NUM> of the control unit <NUM>. In such an example, the input member <NUM> may have a coupling portion which fits within a guiding portion of the control unit <NUM> (or vice versa) to restrict movement of the input member <NUM> with respect to the control unit <NUM> in a pre-determined manner. For example, the input member <NUM> could move along at least one guide rail of some sort.

The magnet pair <NUM> comprises a first magnet 14a and a second magnet 14b. The magnets of the magnet pair <NUM> may be generally described as magnetic components, wherein each magnetic component comprises permanent magnetic material and/or non-permanent magnetic material (i.e. temporary magnetic material). The permanent magnetic material may be a ferromagnetic material. The non-permanent magnetic material may be paramagnetic material, diamagnetic material, soft ferromagnetic material and/or an electromagnetic material. Preferably, the magnetic component is a permanent magnet, more preferably comprising neodymium magnet material. Neodymium magnets are preferred because they are relatively strong permanent magnets which are commercially available. The location and the magnetic strength of each of the components of the magnet pair may be optimised to alter the feel for the user when they move the input member.

Different forms of the barriers 18a and 18b described above may be used to limit movement of the input member <NUM> with respect to the control unit <NUM> in the first embodiment. For example, a variation of the barriers 18a and 18b is depicted in <FIG> in which a single barrier 18c is provided. As depicted in <FIG>, the single barrier 18c is arranged around a central portion of the input member <NUM>. Similarly to barriers 18a and 18b, the single barrier 18c may be a protrusion of the housing <NUM> or a component attached to the housing. The barrier in any of <FIG> could be used instead of one or both the barriers 18a and 18b depicted in <FIG>.

The single barrier 18c as depicted has a curved portion with the same or a similar radius as a central part of the input member <NUM> and has extended straight portions which limit movement of the input member <NUM> as it rotates around the main axis <NUM>. The single barrier 18c is longer than the barriers 18a and 18b depicted in <FIG> and is provided in a slightly different position. As depicted in <FIG>, the single barrier 18c is provided near to the coupling portion <NUM> and may provide stability for the input member <NUM> to help keep it in place in the controller <NUM>. The single barrier 2c may act as a retaining wall to help keep the input member <NUM> in place. The single barrier 18c could be provided in addition to at least one of the first barrier 18a and/or the second barrier 18b described above.

Further variations are depicted in <FIG>. As in <FIG>, a first central barrier 18d and a second central barrier 18e could be provided. Each of the first central barrier 18d and the second central barrier 18e may be positioned around a central portion of the input member <NUM>, i.e. near to the location of the centre of rotation of movement of the input member <NUM>. The first and second central barriers 18d and 18e may provide stability for the input member <NUM> to help keep it in place in the controller <NUM>. In other words, the first and second central barriers 18d and 18e may act as a retaining wall to help keep the input member <NUM> in place. The first and second central barrier 18d and 18e may be arranged to prevent or limit movement of the input member <NUM> by making contact with the input member <NUM> when it reaches the neutral or displaced position respectively. The first and second central barrier can be used with an input member <NUM> having a variety of different shapes, for example, having a lever arm shape as in <FIG>, or comprising a circular shaped portion 20b as in <FIG>.

As previously described, the control unit <NUM> comprises a reflector <NUM> arranged to reflect the signal towards the detecting unit. As depicted in <FIG>, the input member <NUM> comprises a non-reflecting portion (protrusion <NUM>) configured to block reflection of the signal <NUM> when the input member <NUM> is in the displaced position. Alternatively, the sensor <NUM> may be located differently such that the input member <NUM> is configured to block reflection of the signal <NUM> when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position. For example, the sensor <NUM> may be located such that at least a portion of the input member <NUM> is positioned between the sensor <NUM> and the reflective portion <NUM> when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position as depicted in <FIG>. In this way, the controller <NUM> may detect when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position due to the lack of signal detected by the detecting unit 11b. The controller <NUM> may determine that the input member <NUM> is at the displaced position when the input member <NUM> is moved down and the signal <NUM> emitted by the emitting unit 11a is reflected from the reflector <NUM> and is detecting by the detecting unit 11b.

The reflector <NUM> is described above as being in some way part of the control unit <NUM>. However, the reflector <NUM> may not be a part of the control unit. Instead, the input member <NUM> may comprise the reflector <NUM>. For example, the input member <NUM> may comprise a projection <NUM> as previously described, however, the reflector <NUM> may be on or part of the projection <NUM> and may be configured to reflect the signal <NUM>. Thus, the reflector <NUM> may reflect the signal <NUM> towards the detecting unit 11b from the input member <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> is located such that when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position, the signal <NUM> emitted by the emitting unit 11a is not reflected by the reflector <NUM>. However, when the input member <NUM> is pushed into the displaced position, the reflector <NUM> on the input member <NUM> will reflect the signal <NUM> back to the detecting unit 11b. Alternatively, the input member <NUM> may comprise the reflector <NUM> as herein described, however, the sensor may be located such that the signal <NUM> is reflected from the reflector <NUM> when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position but the signal <NUM> is not reflected, and thus not detected, the input member <NUM> is in the displaced position, as depicted in <FIG>. The variations on arrangement and configuration depicted in <FIG> could be applied to the controller <NUM> depicted in <FIG>.

In these examples, the input member <NUM> comprises a protrusion <NUM>. However, this may not be the case. Instead, the input member may only comprise a thick end portion, for example portion 20a, wherein a reflector is located on a surface of the end portion 20a facing towards the emitting unit 11a and the detecting unit 11b. Thus, the housing would not require a recess for the protrusion <NUM>, the position of the input member <NUM> could be determined depending on whether or not the signal <NUM> is detected as above by determining that the input member <NUM> is in the neutral or displaced position depending on where the sensor <NUM> is located.

The magnet pair <NUM> may be oriented relative to each other in various configurations. The magnet pair <NUM> may be positioned such that the magnets have dipoles which are parallel to each other and the direction of relative movement between the input member <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. In other words, the magnets of the magnet pair <NUM> may be configured such that the magnetic field between the magnets of the magnet pair is substantially perpendicular to the direction of relative movement between the input member <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. For example, as depicted in <FIG>, at least one magnet may be located on the input member <NUM>, the magnet having a face substantially parallel to the face of the other magnet of the magnet pair <NUM>. In <FIG>, the surfaces of the magnets facing each other are substantially parallel to the direction of relative movement between the input member <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the magnet pair <NUM> may be arranged in a configuration in which the faces of the magnets are not parallel to the direction of travel. For example, the magnet pair may preferably be positioned such that the magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of travel and the magnet surfaces facing each other be perpendicular to the direction of travel. For example, <FIG> depict a magnet pair <NUM> positioned parallel to the main axis <NUM>. This allows the magnets to be conveniently located on the input member <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. The magnet pair <NUM> can be located at any angle which allows the magnet pair <NUM> to exert a force to move the input member <NUM> back to the neutral position.

In the first embodiment, the input member <NUM> may be moveable relative to the control unit <NUM> from the neutral position to more than one displaced position. As described above, the neutral position is the position at which the input member <NUM> returns to when the user is no longer applying a force to the input member <NUM>. Thus the neutral position is the arrangement of the input member <NUM> with respect to the control unit <NUM> when no user is making an input. As described above in relation to <FIG> and <FIG>, at least one barrier may be provided to prevent and limit movement of the input member <NUM> with respect to the control unit <NUM>. However, the configuration of these barriers (and the recess <NUM>) may allow more than one displaced position.

For example, this is depicted in <FIG> correspond to <FIG> respectively. <FIG> differ from <FIG> respectively in that the second barrier 18b is now positioned further away from the first magnet 14a of the control unit <NUM> and the recess <NUM> is larger to allow a larger range of movement of the input member <NUM>. In <FIG>, the input member <NUM> will return to the neutral position due to the presence of the magnet pair <NUM>. Thus, the barrier 18b is no longer provided in the same way to limit movement of the input member past the neutral position in a direction away from the displaced position.

As depicted in <FIG> the input member may be configured to move to a first displaced position and a second displaced position. The first barrier 18a may be positioned to limit displacement of the input member <NUM> in a first direction as depicted in <FIG>. This may correspond to the displaced position described above in relation to <FIG>. However, as shown in <FIG>, the input member <NUM> may additionally be configured to be moved to a displaced position on either side of the neutral position. Thus, the input member <NUM> may be moved to a second displaced position as depicted in <FIG>. The controller depicted in <FIG> may only have a displaced position corresponding to the second displaced position in <FIG>, or may be moved to multiple displaced positions as indicated in <FIG>.

In the first embodiment, any number of sensors may be used to determine the position of the input member <NUM>. For example, an additional sensor could be used in <FIG> which may emit a signal <NUM> which is blocked when the input member <NUM> is in the neutral position. Providing the same number of sensors as total positions (i.e. the number of displaced positions as well as the neutral position) means that if a sensor becomes damaged or needs repair, the controller <NUM> should still function due to the signals received from the remaining sensors. Furthermore, this might allow sensor damage to be detected because if all the sensors are expected to detect a reflected signal except for when the input member <NUM> is located in a corresponding position, then there should only be one sensor at any one time indicating that no signal is detected. Thus, if two sensors indicate that no signal is detected then this indicates an error in at least one of the sensors.

As the number of possible displaced positions is increased, the number of sensors may be increased also. Only one sensor may be used to detect the position of the input member <NUM> between a neutral and a single displaced position. However, for two displaced positions, two sensors may be used. As explained in relation to <FIG>, when the input member <NUM> can move to a further, i.e. a second, displaced position, in order to determine whether or not the input member <NUM> is in the second displaced position, a further sensor <NUM> is included. The further sensor <NUM> may be the same type or a different type from the sensor <NUM> previously described. For example, the further sensor <NUM> may be optical, infrared or ultrasonic.

As depicted in <FIG>, when the input member <NUM> is located in the neutral position, the signal <NUM> is reflected from reflector <NUM> and detected by sensor <NUM> and the further signal <NUM> is reflected from the further reflector <NUM> and is detected by the further sensor <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, when the input member <NUM> is moved to the first displaced position, the input member blocks the signal <NUM> and sensor <NUM> no longer detects signal <NUM>. Further signal <NUM> is not blocked by the input member and the further sensor <NUM> detects the further signal <NUM>. Thus, the controller <NUM> can determine that the input member <NUM> is blocking the signal <NUM> and is in the first displaced position. As depicted in <FIG>, when the input member <NUM> is moved to the second displaced position, the sensor <NUM> detects the signal <NUM>. However, the input member <NUM> blocks the further signal and the further sensor <NUM> does not detect the further signal <NUM>. The sensor <NUM>, further sensor <NUM>, reflector <NUM> and further reflector <NUM> can be placed in different configurations to determine the position of the input member <NUM>.

The input member <NUM> may be moved to further displaced positions, for example, three displaced positions, four displaced positions or more. For example, this may include pushing the input member <NUM>, i.e. pushing the input member downwards in <FIG> into a further displaced position which equates to pulling the input member <NUM> upwards out of the page in <FIG>. This may require an additional sensor to determine if the input member has been pushed backwards. The back element <NUM> is previously described as being configured to restrict and/or prevent movement of the input member <NUM> away from the control unit <NUM>. The back element <NUM> may be configured to restrict movement of the input member <NUM> but allow a limited range of movement of the input member <NUM> away from the control unit <NUM>.

Furthermore, the input member <NUM> may be pulled forwards (i.e. pushed into the page in <FIG>). The housing <NUM> may be configured to provide space for the movement of the input member <NUM> relative to the control unit <NUM> to move in the directions of the various displaced positions. There may be additional displaced positions corresponding to forward and backward positions at each of the first and second displaced positions previously described. As such, there could be a forward first position, a first position, a backward first position, a forward neutral position, a neutral position, a backward neutral position, a forward second position, a second position, and a backward second position or any combination of these possible positions. Including the neutral position, there may be n possible positions, wherein n is a discrete number. Thus, the input member <NUM> may be moved to a plurality of displaced positions and these may be used to input information to the controller <NUM> by the user in a variety of different ways. The reference to the first position and the second position may be interchangeable. There may be an equal number of sensors to the number of displaced states or one fewer sensors than displaced states. Preferably, there may be n-<NUM> sensors, or as described in more detail below, at least n-<NUM> emitting units.

As described, the controller <NUM> may comprise at least one sensor <NUM> comprising an emitting unit 11a and a detecting unit 11b. The sensor <NUM> may not be a single unit as depicted, but may be two separate components, i.e. the emitting unit 11a and the detecting unit 11b, wherein the combined units are configured to sense a signal <NUM> as described. As described, the controller <NUM> may comprise more than one sensor. The controller <NUM> may comprise at least one sensor and may additionally comprise at least one additional emitting unit 11a and/or detecting unit 11b. Thus, the controller <NUM> may have uneven numbers of emitting units and detecting units. For example, two detecting units may be used for detecting a signal emitted from one emitting unit. However, it may be preferable to have the same number of emitting units and detecting units because that may be more reliable than sensing one signal from two different locations.

The housing <NUM> may comprise a side recess along at least a part of the edge of the housing <NUM>. In other words, the housing <NUM> may have an opening to allow for movement of the input member <NUM>. The side recess may allow movement of the input member <NUM> into the neutral position as well as the relevant displaced position(s). In particular, the side recess may be provided if at least one of the displaced positions is in a direction upwards, i.e. opposite to the arrow in <FIG>.

In the first embodiment, the controller <NUM> may preferably comprise more than one magnet pair. As depicted in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may comprise a first magnet pair <NUM> and a second magnet pair <NUM>. Thus, additional magnet pairs as herein described may be provided in <FIG>. For each magnet pair, one of the magnets may be located on or in the input member <NUM> and the other magnet may be located on or in the control unit <NUM>. Both the magnet pairs <NUM> and <NUM> may be located between the main axis <NUM> and the outer portion of the input member as depicted in <FIG>. Alternatively, one magnet pair may be located on either side of the main axis <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. This provides additional support due to the presence of a magnet pair <NUM> at the back end of the input member <NUM>. This allows the magnet pair <NUM> to damp movement of the input member <NUM> to improve feel for the user. Thus, the magnet pair <NUM> advantageously may have dual operation. It may act as an additional support to the input member <NUM> and may act as a damper to movement of the input member <NUM>.

Using magnets means that the input member <NUM> can be kept approximately in place adjacent to the control unit <NUM>. In other words, an advantage of the magnet pair is that they keep the input member <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> together. This also means that the controller <NUM> can be easily taken apart when desired. For example, it is possible for the user to remove the input member <NUM> and easily replace the input member <NUM> and reassemble the controller <NUM>. This means that the controller <NUM> can be easily taken apart and put back together because the input member is easily removable due to the use of the magnets. This means that components of the controller <NUM>, e.g. band <NUM> described in further detail below, can be exchanged and can be selected based on colour and/or finish to allow the user to customise the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may detect when the input member <NUM> is held in at least one of the displaced positions for an extended period of time. For example, the extended period of time may be a few seconds, e.g. <NUM> seconds or <NUM> seconds or more. Thus, the controller <NUM> may determine the period of time that the input member <NUM> is held at a displaced positon from the signals detected at the available sensors described above. Based on this, the controller <NUM> may determine the user input to be different from when the user simply moves the input member <NUM> to a displaced position then releases the input member <NUM>. For example, the user input member <NUM> being held in a particular displaced position may be interpreted as an input to scroll through a menu of the controller <NUM>, or continuously change the value of a characteristic of the water in the system until the user releases the input member <NUM> and it returns to the neutral position. It is noted that this may be displayed to the user via a controller display (not depicted). The controller display may provide a representation of the input to the user.

In the first embodiment, the magnet pair is generally described as two magnets as indicated above. As previously described, these magnets are arranged to provide an attractive force on one another. In other words, the magnets are arranged to be drawn towards one another. However, alternatively, the components of the magnet pair could be arranged to repel one another. For example, a first magnet could be arranged on or in the control unit <NUM> at or near the first displaced position. The input member <NUM> may comprise a second magnet arranged to repel the first magnet located on or in the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM>, and optionally also the backing element <NUM>, may be configured to keep the input member <NUM> positioned between the neutral position and the first displaced position such that when the user releases the input member <NUM> at the first displaced position the input member <NUM> is repelled towards the neutral position. At least one barrier (as previously described) may be used in this instance to prevent the input member <NUM> being repelled further and moving away from the neutral position.

As previously described, there may be more than one magnet pair. The magnet pairs may all be attracting magnet pairs (i.e. comprising magnets arranged to attract one another). Alternatively, the magnet pairs may all be repelling magnet pairs (i.e. comprising magnets arranged to repel one another). Alternatively, the magnet pairs may be a combination of attracting magnet pairs and repelling magnet pairs, e.g. one attracting magnet pair and one repelling magnet pair.

As described, the controller <NUM> may comprise a back element <NUM>. In the description above, the magnet pairs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are located on or in the input member <NUM> and on or in the control unit <NUM>. Alternatively, it may be possible to provide the magnet pair <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> such that one magnet is located on or in the input member <NUM> and the other corresponding magnet is located on or in the back element <NUM>. The input member <NUM> may still move as previously described to alter the signal detected by the sensor <NUM> however, the movement of the input member <NUM> between the neutral position and the displaced position may be affected by magnets on the back element. Additionally or alternatively, the barriers referred to in relation to the control unit <NUM> may additionally or alternatively be provided on the back element to help control movement of the input member <NUM> relative to the control unit <NUM>. The barriers on the back element <NUM> may only provide control when the control unit <NUM> and input member <NUM> are positioned ready for use with respect to the back element <NUM>.

The back element <NUM> can be connected to a surface, for example, a wall. The back element <NUM> may be connected to the control unit <NUM> via at least one detachable connection. In other words, the back element <NUM> may be connected to the controller <NUM> via a connection which allows the control unit <NUM> to be detached without damaging the connection, the back element <NUM> or the control unit <NUM>. The back element <NUM> may be connected to the control unit <NUM> using a bayonet type connector. In other words, the control unit <NUM> may have radial pins <NUM> (i.e. a male component) as depicted in <FIG> which sit within a guided L-shaped slots <NUM> in the back element <NUM> (i.e. a corresponding female component) as depicted in <FIG>. Alternatively, the control unit <NUM> may have radial pins and the back element <NUM> may have guided L-shaped slots. Having a bayonet type connector may make it particularly easy for the user to remove the control unit <NUM> as and when required, for example, for maintenance. Using the bayonet type connector means that the control unit <NUM> can be rotated relative to the back element <NUM> to fix the control unit <NUM> into place. When in position, with the input member <NUM> positioned between the control unit <NUM> and the back element <NUM>, the input member <NUM> can be used to rotate the control unit <NUM> into position with respect to the back element <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, there may be at least one screw hole <NUM> provided in the control unit <NUM> and at least one screw hole <NUM> provided in the back element <NUM> to allow a screw to be positioned to removably fix the back element <NUM> to the control unit <NUM>. Thus, the controller <NUM> may be connected to a surface or wall via the back element <NUM>.

Providing such a bayonet type of connection between the back element <NUM> and the control unit <NUM> may mean that electrical connections between components in the control unit <NUM> have to allow for rotation between the relative parts of the controller <NUM>. To address this, the back element <NUM> may comprise at least one opening <NUM>, preferably substantially centrally, to allow an electrical connection. The control unit <NUM> may comprise pin connectors <NUM> protruding from the housing <NUM> to provide means for electrically connecting the controller to an electricity source, such as the mains. <FIG> depict the back element <NUM> in place with respect to the control unit <NUM> wherein the pins <NUM> protrude from the housing to make an electrical connection. The features of <FIG> only depict some of the features of the controller but these features could be used in combination with the features previously described for the other figures. <FIG> depicts a cross-section through Y-Y in <FIG>. To allow for this electrical connection from the control unit <NUM>, the coupling portion <NUM> of the input member <NUM> may comprise a circular opening <NUM> around the housing of the control unit <NUM>. In other words, the input member <NUM> may comprise an opening <NUM> through which the electrical connections can pass. As depicted in <FIG>, the input member opening <NUM> may be positioned around the central axis <NUM> and may be the location around which the input member <NUM> rotates.

The controller <NUM> may comprise a band <NUM> around the housing <NUM> or comprising part of the housing <NUM>. The band <NUM> may be removable and may form part of the casing for the controller <NUM>. The band <NUM> may be interchangeable with other bands in order to alter the appearance of the controller <NUM>. The band <NUM> may be positioned around the outside of the housing <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>, like a bezel, or around the inside of the housing <NUM>. In this case, the housing <NUM> may be transparent or translucent at least part of the way around the outside of the controller <NUM> to allow the band <NUM> to be seen by the user. The band <NUM> may be kept in place when the control unit <NUM> is fastened to the back element <NUM>. The band <NUM> may be removable and may be easily changed due to the bayonet type connector described above.

The controller <NUM> may be provided as a kit of parts comprising the control unit <NUM>, the input member <NUM> and the back element <NUM>, described in any of the above variations, and optionally at least one band <NUM>, or preferably several bands which are interchangeable with each other.

Providing the bayonet type connection described above means that it is not necessary to undo several layers of fixings and potentially damaging water seals, disturbing connections and invalidating any warranty to replace, repair and/or customise any components, i.e. the band <NUM>, control unit <NUM> or components of the control unit <NUM>, and/or the input member <NUM>. Furthermore, the controller <NUM> having a separate input member <NUM> to the control unit <NUM> and being connectable as described means that controller <NUM> can be relatively easily taken apart and put back together.

The position determining device could comprise a magnet and rely on the Hall Effect. However, this is less desirable as it may affect the use of the magnet pair used to position the input member <NUM>.

A second embodiment may be provided in accordance with the invention. The second embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment, including any previously described variations, however, instead of having a sensor with a reflector, the sensor may be replaced with another type of position determining device. For example, the position determining device may comprise a mechanical portion, such as a button, or an electrical connection made when the input member <NUM> is moved. As such the position determining device may be used to determine the position of the input member <NUM> in a similar way to as in the first embodiment. As such a single determining device may be used to determine the position of the input member <NUM> between the neutral position and a displaced position. Additional position determining devices may be used instead of multiple sensors described above, for example, if the input member <NUM> is moved to multiple different displaced positions. Additionally, a combination of different types of position determining devices described above may be used, e.g. at least one sensor used in combination with at least one button.

In a third embodiment, the controller <NUM> may be the same as in any of the above described embodiments, except that the controller <NUM> may not may not comprise any magnet pairs. The third embodiment may be the same as the first or second embodiment, including any previously described variation, except for the inclusion of the described magnet pairs. The controller may not be configured to return the input member <NUM> to a neutral position when the input member <NUM> is moved to a displaced position. Alternatively in the third embodiment, a different mechanism may be used to return the input member <NUM> to the neutral position, for example, the controller <NUM> may comprise at least one spring to control the position of the input member <NUM>.

As previously described, the controller <NUM> may be part of a water related system. Thus, the present invention provides a water related system using the controller as described above in any of the above embodiments. The water related device may be used to implement the change indicated by the input of the user determined by the controller <NUM>. For example, the user may push the input member to a displaced position to increase or reduce desired flow rate and/or temperature. The relevant change of the characteristic required may be determined by the controller <NUM> and a signal may be sent to a shower control unit <NUM> for example, as depicted in <FIG>. The shower control unit <NUM> may comprise a boiler or a heater. The shower control unit <NUM> may then alter the temperature of the water <NUM> which is provided to the showerhead <NUM>. Thus, the user may vary the characteristic of water flow to alter the characteristic to a desired value.

The present invention may be particularly useful when applied to an electronic shower unit, for example a digital shower unit. An exemplary electronic shower unit is depicted in <FIG>. However, it would be understood that the controller <NUM> may be used to for a variety of different water related systems. For example, the water related system could instead refer to a bathroom tap, a kitchen tap, an instantaneous water heater (such as an electric shower unit), bath or a lavatory. The controller <NUM> may be part of a smart home water system control, for example, to control a sanitary unit. The controller <NUM> may control an outlet of water flow, e.g. in a handset, on a rail, a fixed hear and/or a bath fill.

The neutral position described above may be in various different locations with respect to the controller <NUM>. Although the images depict the neutral position when the input member is approximately horizontal, this is not necessary and the neutral position may be in another location. Similarly, although <FIG> shows the displaced position as a position downward of the neutral position, it will be understood that this is representative of any displacement of the input member <NUM> from the neutral position. Thus, the displaced position could be above the neutral position, or forward or backward from the neutral position, i.e. with the input member <NUM> moving out of or into the page respectively. The same applies to further described displaced positions which may be located at different positions depending on the range of possible movement of the input member <NUM> with respect to the control unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A controller (<NUM>) for a water related system, the controller (<NUM>) being configured to control a characteristic of water flow in the water related system, the controller (<NUM>) comprising:
a control unit (<NUM>) comprising a sensor (<NUM>) and a housing (<NUM>), the sensor (<NUM>) comprising an emitting unit (11a) configured to emit a signal (<NUM>) and a detecting unit (11b) configured to detect the signal (<NUM>), wherein the sensor (<NUM>) is optical, infrared or ultrasonic; and
an input member (<NUM>) arranged to rotate around a main axis of the controller (<NUM>) and being rotationally movable relative to the control unit (<NUM>), the input member (<NUM>) or the control unit (<NUM>) comprising a reflector (<NUM>) arranged to reflect the signal towards the detecting unit (11b), wherein the input member (<NUM>) is separate from the housing (<NUM>) and moves independently of the control unit (<NUM>), the environment in the housing (<NUM>) of the control unit (<NUM>) being controlled to reduce the impact of the surrounding wet environment on the sensor (<NUM>), and the components of the control unit (<NUM>) being sealed within the housing (<NUM>) and therefore protected from the wet environment;
wherein the input member (<NUM>) is movable relative to the control unit (<NUM>) between a neutral position and a displaced position or multiple displaced positions, the movement of the input member (<NUM>) being rotation of the input member (<NUM>) around the main axis of the controller (<NUM>);
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to determine the position of the input member (<NUM>) based on the reflected signal; and
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to determine an input based on the position of the input member (<NUM>);
further comprising at least one of: a mechanical spring configured to apply a force to return the input member (<NUM>) to the neutral position and at least one magnet pair (<NUM>) configured to apply a force to return the input member (<NUM>) to the neutral position.