Control system for one or more bathing devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control system (100) for one or more bathing devices (1, 7), comprising: a mixer valve (118) having a first inlet (134) and a second inlet (136) configured to receive a supply of hot water and cold water and an outlet (138) configured to output cold water, hot water or a mixture thereof as an output flow to supply water to one or more bathing devices (1, 7) located downstream of the mixer valve (118); a controller (120) in communication with the mixer valve (118). The controller (120) is configured to obtain a supply connection setting indicating which of the first and second inlets (134, 136) will receive or is receiving hot water during operation of the control system, and indicating which of the first and second inlets will receive or is receiving cold water during operation of the control system; and to control the mixer valve (118) according to one or more target output water characteristics and the supply connection setting. A method (300) performed by the control system is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a control system for one or more bathing devices, such as a shower system, a faucet, a tap, etc., or any combination of such bathing devices. The present application also relates to a method performed by such a control system. More specifically, the present application relates to the control of an electronically controlled bathing device such as a digital shower or a faucet. Background Art

[0002] An electronically controlled shower and faucet or digital shower and faucet may include a mixer valve unit provided with a cold water input and a hot water input from which a mixed output flow is produced in response to an electrical control signal. A temperature sensor may be used in the output flow to create a feedback loop to control the temperature of the output flow by mixing appropriate levels of input hot and cold water. The feedback loop is used to maintain the output flow at a target temperature.

[0003] In a digital shower or faucet system, the temperature and flow rate of the output stream can be remotely controlled by the user using a separate user interface. This is typically located remotely from the mixer valve unit, so that the mixer valve unit and the user interface form a control system. The user interface allows the user to set the desired water output characteristics such as the desired temperature and / or flow rate, and can provide more complex control functions such as allowing a pre-programmed or customized shower experience to be provided.

[0004] Digital shower / faucet systems offer many advantages in terms of improved functionality and user experience by providing greater and more convenient control over the output water flow. However, digital shower / faucet systems are more complex to install and set up than traditional non-digital systems. In order to provide correct temperature control, the hot water supply and the cold water supply must be connected to the correct corresponding inlets of the mixer valve unit. This can make the mixer valve unit inconvenient and time consuming to install, and if not done correctly, can result in improper operation that is difficult to diagnose.

[0005] Therefore, a general problem to be solved is how to provide a bathing fixture control system that is quick and easy to properly install. Summary of the invention

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a control system for one or more bathing devices, the control system comprising any one or more of the following:

[0007] a mixer valve having first and second inlets configured to receive a supply of hot water and a supply of cold water, and an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture thereof as an output stream for supplying water to one or more bathing devices located downstream of the mixer valve; and

[0008] a controller in communication with the mixer valve, the controller being configured to:

[0009] obtaining a supply coupling setting indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving hot water during operation of the control system and indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving cold water during operation of the control system; and;

[0010] The mixer valve is controlled based on one or more target output water characteristics and the supply connection setting.

[0011] The control system allows the user the flexibility to connect the hot water supply to either the first inlet or the second inlet, wherein the selection is indicated to the controller using the supply connection setting. This increases flexibility during installation, as the installer can select which inlet to use for each water supply, depending on which is easier to connect in the space provided. This may reduce the amount of pipework required. It also means that if the water supply is incorrectly corrected, the control unit will not be reconnected. The supply connection setting can instead be changed rather than reconnecting the pipework.

[0012] The control system may further include a first temperature sensor configured to generate a first temperature signal indicating the temperature of the water received by the first inlet. The control system may further include a second temperature sensor configured to generate a second temperature signal indicating the temperature of the water received by the second inlet. The controller may be configured to obtain the supply connection setting based on the first temperature signal and / or the second temperature signal.

[0013] The controller may be configured to compare the temperature signal provided by the first temperature sensor and / or the second temperature sensor to at least one threshold value to determine whether the first temperature sensor and / or the second temperature sensor is detecting a hot water supply or a cold water supply.

[0014] The controller may be configured to obtain the supply connection setting by receiving a user input defining which of the first inlet and the second inlet is connected to the hot water supply or the cold water supply.

[0015] The controller may be configured to receive the supply connection settings from a remote user device (eg, a smartphone or tablet). The remote device may be configured to run a software application via which the user may select / set the supply connection settings.

[0016] The controller may be in communication with a user interface (eg the user interface may form part of the control system).The user interface may be configured to receive input of / allow user selection of supply coupling settings.

[0017] The controller may be configured to receive the provisioning connection settings via a wireless connection (eg, via Bluetooth or a WiFi network).

[0018] The control system may further include a switch. The switch may be in communication with the controller and configured to receive input of the supply connection setting.

[0019] A second aspect provides a method performed by a control system for one or more bathing devices, the control system comprising:

[0020] a mixer valve having a first inlet and a second inlet configured to receive a hot water supply and a cold water supply, and an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture of cold water and hot water as an output flow for supplying water to one or more bathing devices located downstream of the mixer valve,

[0021] The above methods include:

[0022] obtaining a supply connection setting indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving hot water during operation of the control system and indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving cold water during operation of the control system; and

[0023] The mixer valve is controlled according to one or more target output water characteristics and the supply connection setting.

[0024] The method may further comprise: generating a first temperature signal indicative of the temperature of water received by the first inlet; and / or generating a second temperature signal indicative of the temperature of water received by the second inlet.The supply connection setting may be obtained based on the first temperature signal and / or the second temperature signal.

[0025] The method may further comprise comparing a temperature signal provided by the first temperature sensor and / or the second temperature sensor to at least one threshold value to determine whether the first temperature sensor and / or the second temperature sensor is detecting a hot water supply or a cold water supply.

[0026] The method may comprise obtaining the supply connection setting by receiving a user input defining which of the first inlet and the second inlet is connected to the hot water supply or the cold water supply.

[0027] The method may include receiving provisioning connection settings via a user interface or a remotely connected user device (eg, a smartphone or tablet device).

[0028] Input may be received via a wireless network connection.

[0029] The method may comprise receiving input for supplying a coupling setting via a switch provided as part of the control system.

[0030] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that features described with respect to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect, unless mutually exclusive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a bathing device with a control system according to an embodiment;

[0033] Figure 2 Shows the formation Figure 1 A close-up schematic diagram of a mixer valve unit that is part of a control system is shown;

[0034] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Shows the formation Figure 2 A perspective view and a side view of a mixer valve that is part of a mixer valve unit;

[0035] Figure 5 Shown along Figure 4 A cross section taken along the line CC marked in FIG. 1 ; and

[0036] Figure 6 A method of operating a control system according to another embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 The figure shows a first bathing device 1 in the form of a shower system. The shower system comprises two water outlets: a first water outlet as a wall-mounted shower head 2 and a second water outlet as a ceiling-mounted shower head 3. The water outlets are installed in a shower enclosure 4. Figure 1 Also shown is a second bathing device in the form of a spout 6 which provides water to a bathtub 7 .

[0038] Despite Figure 1 Three water outlets (spout, overhead shower head and wall-mounted shower head) are shown in the figure, but other quantities may be provided. For example, the shower system 1 may have only a single water outlet (e.g., a single shower head or spray pipe), or may have three or more water outlets (e.g., an additional mid-level shower head). The present application relates to other types of bathing devices, which may, for example, be a tap (e.g., a faucet) provided for a sink, a wash basin or other similar purposes. In other embodiments, each bathing device may be a mixture of a faucet and a shower head. In some embodiments, a bathtub and a shower may be combined (e.g., so that the shower is an over-bath shower).

[0039] Figure 1 Also shown is a control system 100 which provides a controlled supply of water to the various water outlets of the shower system and the bathtub. Thus, the control system may be referred to as a control and supply system. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the control system 100 provides a controlled water supply to two separate bathing devices. In other embodiments, any other number of bathing devices may be supplied and controlled, for example, only one or three or more bathing devices. For example, the control system may be connected only to a shower system or only to a spray pipe.

[0040] The water supply is mixed with the hot water supply and the cold water supply to provide the required water temperature. The control system 100 generally includes a mixer valve unit 102, a user interface 104, and a remote on / off control 106. The mixer valve unit 102 receives the cold water supply via a cold water conduit 108, which is connected to the plumbing system of the building where the shower system 1 is located. The cold water conduit provides a suitable cold water supply. In some embodiments, the cold water supply is provided by a total cold water supply device, or can be provided by a water tank such as a header tank (not shown in the figure). The mixer valve unit 102 also receives a hot water supply via a hot water conduit 110 connected to the plumbing system. The hot water conduit provides a supply of water that has been heated by a water heater 112 provided as part of the plumbing system. The water heater 112 can be an instantaneous water heater (such as a combination boiler) or a storage water heater. Any other suitable water heater can be used. The mixer valve unit 102 supplies a mixed water flow to three output conduits 114a, 114b, 114c, which is produced by mixing a cold water supply and a hot water supply, as will be described in more detail later. The output conduits 114a, 114b, 114c are fluidly connected to the water outlets 2, 3, 6 of the bathing devices 1, 6. The mixer valve unit 102 can have any appropriate number of water outlets so that various forms of bathing devices (with various numbers of water outlets as described above) can be supplied. In some embodiments, the mixer valve unit can have more water outputs than a bathing device or a plurality of bathing devices supplied. If not needed, any such redundant outlet can be capped.

[0041] The user interface 104 is mounted within the shower enclosure 4 and is arranged to display information to the user and receive user input to control the shower system. A remote on / off control 106 is located outside the shower enclosure to allow the user to turn the shower on and off before entering the shower enclosure 4. In other embodiments, a separate remote on / off control 106 may not be provided, and the shower is turned on and off from the user interface 104. A separate user interface (not visible in the figure) may be provided on the bath spout 6 to allow control of the water flow from the spout.

[0042] The control system 100 may also include, or may be adapted to communicate with, a portable user device 116, which may be used to remotely control the shower system. The portable user device 116 may be a dedicated device, or may take the form of a smartphone or the like, on which an appropriate application may be installed to interface with the control system 100. The portable user device 116 communicates wirelessly with the mixer valve unit 102 via any appropriate wireless connection, such as Bluetooth or via a WiFi network. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the control system 100 that is remote from the mixer valve unit 102 has a wired connection to the mixer valve unit 102. In other embodiments, a wired or wireless connection may be used between any separate portions of the control system 100. For example, the user interface 104 and the remote on / off control 106 may be wirelessly connected.

[0043] The mixer valve unit 102 may be located in a loft or floor space typically above a shower system. In other embodiments, the mixer valve unit 102 may be located in any other suitable location, such as under a bathtub or in a cabinet.

[0044] Now refer to Figure 2 , the mixer valve unit 102 is shown in more detail. The mixer valve unit 102 generally includes a mixer valve 118; a controller 120; a pump 122; a first flow shutoff valve 124a, a second flow shutoff valve 124b, and a third flow shutoff valve 124c; and a first water outlet 128a, a second water outlet 128b, and a third water outlet 128c. These components are mounted within a housing 132. The water flow through the mixer valve unit 102 is determined by Figure 2 The arrow icon in . Figure 2 The water conduits shown in and the paths they take are schematic examples only to illustrate the general flow of water through the mixer valve unit 102. The water conduits may have any suitable size and shape as desired to allow adequate water flow and fit within the housing 132.

[0045] In the presently described embodiment, the mixer valve includes a first water inlet 134 and a second water inlet 136, each of which is arranged to receive a hot water supply or a cold water supply. Either of the inlet 134 and the inlet 136 can be coupled to the hot water supply or the cold water supply, wherein the other inlet is coupled to the other of the hot water supply and the cold water supply. In the presently described embodiment, the first water inlet 134 is coupled to the hot water conduit 110 and is referred to as the hot water inlet. The second water inlet 136 is coupled to the cold water conduit 108 and is referred to as the cold water inlet.

[0046] The mixer valve also includes an outlet 138 configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture thereof as an output flow for supplying water to the bathing device 1, 6 located downstream of the mixer valve 118. The mixer valve 118 includes one or more valve members that can be moved to change the water flow rate between the hot inlet and the cold inlet and the outlet to control the mixed flow. An example of a mixer valve 118 suitable for the mixer valve unit 102 will be described in more detail later.

[0047] The mixed flow generated by the mixer valve 118 flows through the mixer valve outlet 138 (via a flow rate sensor as will be described later) to the pump 122. The pump 122 is also arranged to separate the mixed flow into separate output flows. Each of these separate flows is used to supply each of the water outlets provided by the bathing device (e.g., the wall-mounted shower head 2 and the overhead shower head 3 and the bath spout 6). Although the Figure 2 The pump in produces three separate output streams, but any suitable number of outputs may be provided by dividing the mixed stream into a suitable number of separate streams. If only one output from the mixer valve unit 102 is required, the pump has a single input and output.

[0048] The individual output stream from pump 122 flows through the first stop valve 124a, the second stop valve 124b and the 3rd stop valve 124c respectively. The stop valve can be moved between the closed state and the open state respectively, to provide the independent control of the water to each water outlet of the bathing device. This can allow the user to select those water outlets they wish to use, and independently control the flow through each water outlet in the range between the maximum flow provided by the mixer valve 118 and the zero flow. The stop valve can be a solenoid valve. However, other types of stop valves can be used. Each output of the mixer valve unit can be provided with a corresponding stop valve. In other embodiments, stop valve may not be provided.

[0049] The shut-off valves 124a, 124b, 124c are fluidly coupled to the respective first water outlets 128a, 128b, and 128c. The first outlet 128a and the second outlet 128b are fluidly coupled to the output conduits 114a, 114b to supply the water outlets of the shower system, such as Figure 1 As shown, the third outlet 128c is fluidly coupled to the third output conduit 114c to supply the nozzle 6.

[0050] The pump 122 is arranged to increase the pressure of the output flow from the mixer valve 118. The pump 122 can be set where the control system 100 is to be supplied with a low-pressure hot and / cold water supply (e.g., water from a cold / hot water storage tank instead of a total supply device). The pump 122 is located downstream of the flow rate sensor (described below) and before the stop valves 124a, 124b, 124c. In other embodiments, a pump can be provided at any appropriate point in the control and supply system to increase the pressure when needed. In other embodiments, a pump is not included. Such an embodiment is suitable for use in the absence of a pump but the supply pressure is sufficient (e.g., in the case of providing a total water pressure instead of providing water from a hot or cold water storage tank). In the case where a pump is not provided, it can be replaced by a pipe system manifold, which connects a single output flow from the mixer valve to each of the outlets 128a, 128b, 128c via a stop valve.

[0051] The controller 120 is arranged to control the operation of various components of the control system 100. The controller 120 is in operational communication with the mixer valve 118, the shutoff valves 124a, 124b, 124c, the user interface 104, the remote on / off control 106 and the portable user device 116 via appropriate wired or wireless connections. The controller 120 includes a memory 142 and one or more processors 140, the memory 142 being arranged to store computer-readable instructions that can be executed by the processor 140 to perform any of the functions of the controller described herein. The controller also includes a wireless communication module in the form of a Bluetooth module 144 and a WiFi module 146, which is arranged to allow wireless communication between the controller 120 and remotely located parts of the control system. The wireless communication module is also arranged to provide communication over the Internet via a wireless local area network (Wi-Fi network), a cellular network or any other appropriate wireless network. The WiFi module can be a separate module connected to the main PCBA of the controller 120 via a wired connection, such as Figure 2 In the depicted embodiment, the WiFi module is mounted within the housing 132, but in other embodiments, the WiFi module may be located away from the housing 132. In other embodiments, the WiFi module 146 is located on the main PCBA of the controller.

[0052] The controller 120 also includes a wired connection point 148 to which a wired connection can be made to a mixer valve unit or other components of the control system 100. In the presently described embodiment, only a single wired connection point 148 is shown. However, there may be any suitable number (e.g., three), such that there is one or more wired connection points.

[0053] exist Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the processor 140 and the memory 142 form a microcontroller (MCU) configured to perform any function of the controller described herein. In other embodiments, the controller may take different forms. The controller may include any combination of hardware and software that operates to control and process information and execute programming instructions. The controller may include any appropriate processing circuit, including a microprocessor, a programmable logic device, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application specific instruction set processor (ASIP), etc. The controller 120 may be any device suitable for controlling the operation of the control system by processing information (e.g., information received from a sensor, stored in a local memory, or received from an external source) and outputting instructions to the components of the control system (e.g., mixer valves and shut-off valves, respectively) according to the functions (or additional functions) defined herein. In some embodiments, the controller 120 may be formed by distributed components, some or all of which may be located outside the mixer valve unit 102. For example, the controller 120 may be located away from the housing 132 and may have a suitable wired or wireless connection to the components in the housing. In the described embodiment, a single controller is provided to control a single mixer valve unit 102, in which a single mixer valve is included to provide mixed water to the water outlets of any number of bathing devices. In other embodiments, the controller may be arranged to control multiple mixer valve units 102, for example, each mixer valve unit having a separate mixer valve 118 and receiving a separate hot water supply and cold water supply. For example, Figure 2 The controller 120 shown can control Figure 2 The mixer valve unit shown is similar to another mixer valve unit, without the need for a second controller.

[0054] The control system also includes one or more sensors arranged to provide measurements of various operating parameters to the controller 120. Figure 2 Not shown, the sensor may be operatively coupled to the controller 120 by wire or wirelessly to send signals thereto.

[0055] The control system includes an output flow sensor arranged to generate an output flow signal indicative of various water properties of the mixed output flow of the mixer valve 118. Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the output flow sensors include an output temperature sensor 150 and an output flow rate sensor 152. In other embodiments, an output pressure sensor (not shown) may also be provided. These sensors are positioned to measure the properties of the water flow at any location downstream of the mixer valve 118 (e.g., downstream of the point where the mixed flow is generated within the mixer valve, which may be included within the mixer valve itself, such as downstream of a valve member that controls the flow through the valve). These sensors may be located within the mixer valve unit 102, such as Figure 2 As shown. For example, these sensors can be located between the mixer valve 118 and the pump 122 or manifold pipe workpiece, where the output flow is divided. However, these sensors can be located at any suitable position within the mixer valve unit. In other embodiments, these sensors can be arranged further downstream of the mixer valve unit.

[0056] The control system further comprises a first temperature sensor 154a arranged to generate a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of water flowing through or supplied to the first water inlet 134 of the mixer valve. The first temperature sensor 154a may be located adjacent to the respective water inlet orifice of the mixer valve, or may be located further downstream at any point before the water flow is mixed within the mixer valve (the first temperature sensor may therefore be located within the mixer valve itself). The first temperature sensor may be located within the mixer valve unit 102, such as Figure 2 Alternatively, the first temperature sensor may be located further upstream, and may be located upstream of the mixer valve unit 102 .

[0057] The control system further comprises a second temperature sensor 154b arranged to generate a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of water flowing through or supplied to the second water inlet 136 of the mixer valve 118. The second temperature sensor 154b may be located adjacent to the respective water inlet orifice of the mixer valve, or may be located further downstream at any point before the water flow is mixed within the mixer valve (the second temperature sensor may therefore be located within the mixer valve itself). The second temperature sensor 145b may be located within the mixer valve unit 102, such as Figure 2 Alternatively, the second temperature sensor may be located further upstream, and may be located upstream of the mixer valve unit 102 .

[0058] In the described embodiment, both a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor are provided to measure a temperature signal indicative of the temperature of the hot water supply or the cold water supply to the mixer valve 118. The first temperature sensor or the second temperature sensor may measure the hot water supply temperature signal or the cold water supply temperature signal, depending on which of the first inlet 134 and the second inlet 136 is used to deliver hot and cold water. In the described embodiment, the first temperature sensor 154a is a hot inlet temperature sensor measuring a hot temperature signal and the second temperature sensor 154b is a cold inlet temperature sensor measuring a cold temperature signal. Once the system is connected, the user may select which inlet is which via an appropriate user input, or the controller may be arranged to automatically detect this, as will be described in more detail later.

[0059] In the described embodiment, the mixer valve includes a valve position sensor 156 that is arranged to measure an actual valve position signal indicating the actual position of a valve member or multiple valve members within the mixer valve 118. The position of the valve member can be measured relative to a valve seat, which is associated with the valve member to provide feedback on how much hot water or cold water is allowed to flow through the mixer valve 118. The valve position sensor 156 can be an encoder (e.g., a rotary encoder) that can be any suitable type of inductive, magnetic, Hall effect, or resistive sensor. In other embodiments, a target position of the valve member can be relied upon, rather than the measured actual valve member position. In such an embodiment, the valve position sensor 156 is not required and is therefore absent.

[0060] Any temperature sensor described herein may include a thermistor. However, other types of temperature sensors may be used such as thermocouples, semiconductor sensors, infrared sensors, or any other suitable sensor.

[0061] Any flow rate sensor described herein may include a flow turbine, an ultrasonic sensor, a differential pressure sensor, or any other suitable type of flow rate sensor.

[0062] Figure 2 The locations of the sensors shown are for illustration purposes only. The sensors may be located at any suitable location to provide measurements of desired properties of water flowing through the control system or of the control system itself. Any sensor described herein is configured to generate a signal received and processed by the controller to perform any of the functions described herein. The signals received by the processor may be converted to other formats for processing or storage by the processor.

[0063] The number and type of sensors provided in the control system are selected based on the desired functionality of the controller. Figure 2Any one or more sensors shown in are used for certain functions, for example, if they are not needed for any function of the controller described or claimed herein, the one or more sensors may not be included.

[0064] The controller is configured to control the mixer valve 118 according to one or more target output water properties. Water properties refer to properties of the water, including the temperature, flow rate or pressure of the water. The target output water properties are set by the user via the user interface 104 or via the portable removal device 116 using an appropriate application running on the device, or may be defined by a shower program stored in the memory 142 of the controller. The controller is arranged to control the mixer valve in response to measurements from the output flow sensor so as to change the water flow through the mixer valve (e.g. through each flow control device having the mixer valve) to achieve or maintain the desired target output water property.

[0065] Now refer to Figures 3 to 5 , an example of a mixer valve 200 suitable for use in the mixer valve unit 102 is shown in more detail. This will be understood as having only one example of an alternative mixer valve that provides the desired controlled mixing of hot and cold flows apparent to those skilled in the art. The mixer valve 200 comprises a housing 201 having an orifice 202 forming a first water inlet and an orifice 204 forming a second water inlet. The housing 201 also comprises an orifice 206 to form an outlet.

[0066] The housing 201 houses a first flow control valve 208a and a second flow control valve 208b. The first flow control valve 206 is arranged to control the flow of water from the first inlet 202 to the mixing chamber 210. The second flow control valve 208 is arranged to control the flow of water from the second inlet 204 to the mixing chamber 210. Water flows from the mixing chamber 210 to the outlet 206. The first flow control valve and the second flow control valve can control the flow of hot water or cold water, depending on whether the first water inlet 134 and the second water inlet 136 are connected to a hot water supply or a cold water supply.

[0067] like Figure 5As can be seen, the first flow control valve 208a includes a first valve member 212a and a second valve member 212b, each mounted to a shaft 214. The valve members are arranged to seal against associated valve seats 216a, 216b. The shaft 214 can be moved via an actuator 218. The second flow control valve 208b includes a first valve member 212a' and a second valve member 212b', respectively, and the first valve member 212a' and the second valve member 212b' have associated valve seats 216a', 216b'. The valve member of the second flow control valve is mounted to the shaft 214' moved by the actuator 218'. The valve member controlling the hot water flow is referred to as a hot valve member in this article, and the valve member controlling the cold water flow is referred to as a cold valve member. In some embodiments, only one valve member is provided for each of the first flow control valve and the second flow control valve. These valve members can be referred to as the first valve member and the second valve member elsewhere in this article.

[0068] The actuators 218, 218' are adapted to control the linear position of the shafts 214, 214' and, therefore, the position of the first valve member and the second valve member relative to the valve seat. The actuators 218, 218' may each include a stepper motor coupled to a lead screw arranged to linearly move the associated shaft 214, 214' in an axial direction. Any suitable actuator for controlling the linear motion of the shaft may be used in place of the stepper motor, including, but not limited to, a linear actuator. The controller 120 is in communication with the actuators 118, 118' (e.g., by a wired connection) such that the flow of water through the valve may be controlled as described above. The controller may also be in communication with a provided valve member position sensor.

[0069] Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The mixer valve shown is only one such example. For example, the mixer valve may be a mixer valve as described in International Patent Application No. PCT / IB2013 / 001646 (WO2013 / 190381) or PCT / GB2018 / 053122 (WO2019 / 092401), which are hereby incorporated by reference. In other embodiments, the mixer valve may include any suitable number of mating valve members and valve seats to control the flow of hot water and cold water into the mixing chamber.

[0070] In any of the embodiments described herein, the sensors disposed in the mixer valve unit may alternatively be located remote from the mixer valve unit while still in communication with the controller 120. For example, the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor may be disposed further upstream, such as in the water supply conduits 108, 110, rather than being part of the mixer valve unit itself. Similarly, the outlet temperature sensor may be located downstream of the mixer valve unit.

[0071] In some embodiments, Figure 1 The user interface 104 and remote on / off control 106 shown in the figure may not be provided as part of the control system 100 described or claimed herein. In such an embodiment, the user interaction may only be provided with a mobile device 116 or other form of wired or wireless interface. Therefore, the control system described or claimed herein may be a mixer valve unit 102 (including any internal or connected remotely located sensors).

[0072] Hot inlet and cold inlet designated detection:

[0073] As described above, first inlet 134 and second inlet 136 are configured so that they can interchangeably couple with hot and cold water supplies from cold conduit 108 and hot conduit 110. For example, first inlet 134 can be coupled to hot conduit 110 and second inlet to cold conduit 108, or vice versa.

[0074] The controller 120 is configured to obtain a supply connection setting indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving hot water during operation of the control system and indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving cold water during operation of the control system. This allows the mixer valve unit to be flexibly connected to the inlet receiving hot water or cold water. The controller is configured to obtain a setting reflecting how the control system is connected and control the mixer valve accordingly so that the desired mixing of hot and cold water can be achieved. The controller 120 can utilize a temperature signal generated by a sensor that is configured to perform other functions, such as generating various diagnostic signals based on the temperature value of the water supplied to the mixer valve. This advantageously allows the sensor to be used for more than one purpose.

[0075] The controller 120 is configured to obtain the supply connection setting by determining which of the first inlet 134 and the second inlet 136 is receiving hot water or cold water using the first temperature sensor 154a and the second temperature sensor 154b. The controller 120 is configured to compare the temperature signals provided by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor to a threshold or thresholds to determine whether the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are detecting a hot water supply or a cold water supply. This allows the controller 120 to automatically determine how the inlet is connected and operate accordingly without any user input.

[0076] For example, if one of the temperature sensors 154a and 154b measures a temperature signal that is always greater than 45 degrees, the controller considers it to correspond to a hot water supply. If one of the temperature sensors 154a and 154b measures a temperature signal that is always less than 15 degrees, the controller considers it to correspond to a cold water supply. Other temperature values ​​may be used. In other embodiments, a single threshold may be used. In this case, the controller may determine which temperature signal is above the threshold and which temperature signal is below the threshold during normal operation. In some embodiments, only one of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor may be provided, and the corresponding temperature signal may be compared to a suitable temperature threshold or multiple suitable temperature thresholds. Once it is determined that one of the water supplies is a hot water supply or a cold water supply, it may be inferred that the other water supply is the other of the hot water supply and the cold water supply.

[0077] The controller 120 can determine whether the temperature signal is consistently above or below the respective threshold value, for example, within a predetermined approximate time, such as a few seconds or minutes. This helps avoid false indications that may be caused by very short bursts of higher or lower temperatures that may occur when the piping system is heated or cooled when the device is not in use.

[0078] The comparison may be performed during a normal period of operation supplying hot water (rather than, for example, when the system is first turned on and the instantaneous water heater supplying hot water is not yet at operating temperature).

[0079] The controller 120 may additionally or alternatively be configured to obtain the supply connection setting via user input. In such an embodiment, the control system includes a switch in communication with the controller, via which the user can set the supply connection setting. The switch may be located within the housing of the mixer valve unit, such as on a PCBA of the controller. In other embodiments, the switch may have any other suitable location, such as inside or outside the mixer valve unit.

[0080] The controller may additionally or alternatively be configured to obtain the provisioning connection settings via user input received at the user interface 104 or at the portable user device 116 (eg, via a suitable application running on the device).

[0081] Thus, the controller 120 may be configured to receive the supply connection settings from the user interface 104. The user interface 104 may be used to select the supply connection settings during installation, and to control the bathing apparatus as described above.

[0082] The controller may be configured to receive the supply connection settings from a remotely connected user device 116. As described above, this may be a smartphone or tablet connected to the controller to allow the user to input the desired settings. The user device 116 is configured to run a suitable software application via which the user may select the supply connection settings.

[0083] The controller 120 may be configured to receive the provisioning connection settings via a wireless network connection (e.g., Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). This may be accomplished using the wireless communication module described above. This may be the case when the connection settings are received from a smartphone / tablet device, etc. The controller 120 may also be configured to receive the connection settings via a wired connection to another remote device (e.g., the user interface 104 using a wired connection).

[0084] Reference Figure 6 , a method 300 of operating a control system for one or more bathing devices is shown. The control system may be Figures 1 to 5 The control system shown in FIG. Figure 1 As described above, the control system has a mixer valve having a first inlet and a second inlet and an outlet, the first inlet and the second inlet being configured to receive a hot water supply and a cold water supply, and the outlet being configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture thereof as an output flow for supplying water to a bathing device located downstream of the mixer valve.

[0085] The method 300 includes an obtaining step 302 of obtaining a supply connection setting. The supply connection setting indicates which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving hot water during operation of the control system, and indicates which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving cold water during operation of the control system. Based on the supply connection setting, the method 300 also includes a controlling step 304 of controlling a mixer valve according to one or more target output water characteristics and the supply connection setting. The mixer valve is controlled by using the supply connection setting to indicate which valve member of the mixer valve is connected to the hot water supply or the cold water supply and adjusting their positions to obtain a desired mix of hot and cold water.

[0086] As described above, the supply connection setting can be obtained in a variety of different ways. The method 300 also includes obtaining the supply connection setting by receiving 306 a user input, which defines which of the first inlet and the second inlet is connected to the hot water supply or the cold water supply. The user input can be received from a suitable switch, etc. or via a user interface. As described above, the user input can be received from the user interface 104 or the remote device 116. The removal device can be a smartphone / tablet computer configured to run an appropriate application, via which the user selection is made. In some embodiments, the user input is received via a wireless network connection (e.g., in the case of a smartphone / desktop computer) or via a wired connection.

[0087] The obtaining of the supply connection setting also includes obtaining 908 the supply connection setting based on a temperature signal from the first temperature sensor and / or the second temperature sensor indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet as described above carries the hot water supply or the cold water supply. This allows the method 300 to automatically determine how the mixer valve is connected without any input from the user. Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the supply connection settings are obtained both from user input and automatically based on temperature measurements. In other embodiments, the supply connection settings may be obtained from only one of these sources.

[0088] Various modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments described above should be understood to be exemplary only. Any feature of any aspect or embodiment of the present disclosure may be used alone or in combination with any other feature of the same or different aspect or embodiment of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure includes any feature or feature combination disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A control system for one or more bathing devices, comprising: a mixer valve having a first inlet and a second inlet configured to interchangeably receive a supply of hot water and a supply of cold water, and an outlet configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture of the cold water and the hot water as an output stream for supplying water to the one or more bathing devices located downstream of the mixer valve; as well as a controller in communication with the mixer valve, the controller being configured to: obtaining a supply coupling setting indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving hot water during operation of the control system and indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving cold water during operation of the control system; and controlling the mixer valve according to one or more target output water characteristics and the supply connection setting, wherein the controller is configured to control the mixer valve according to the obtained supply connection setting so that the first inlet and the second inlet can interchangeably receive hot water supply and cold water supply, The controller is configured to obtain the supply coupling setting by receiving a user input defining which of the first inlet and the second inlet is coupled to a hot water supply or a cold water supply.

2. The control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a first temperature sensor configured to generate a first temperature signal indicative of a temperature of water received by the first inlet; and / or a second temperature sensor configured to generate a second temperature signal indicative of a temperature of water received by the second inlet, Therein, the controller is configured to obtain the supply connection setting based on the first temperature signal and / or the second temperature signal.

3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein: The controller is configured to compare the temperature signal provided by the first temperature sensor and / or the second temperature sensor to at least one threshold value to determine whether the first temperature sensor and / or the second temperature sensor is detecting a hot water supply or a cold water supply.

4. The control system according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to receive the provisioning connection settings from a remote user device.

5. The control system according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is in communication with a user interface, wherein the user interface is configured to receive input of the supply coupling settings.

6. The control system according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 5, wherein: The controller is configured to receive the supply linkage settings via a wireless connection.

7. The control system according to claim 1, wherein: The control system also includes a switch in communication with the controller and configured to receive input of the supply coupling setting.

8. A method performed by a control system for one or more bathing devices, the control system comprising: a mixer valve having a first inlet and a second inlet and an outlet, the first inlet and the second inlet being configured to interchangeably receive a hot water supply and a cold water supply, the outlet being configured to output cold water, hot water, or a mixture of the cold water and the hot water as an output flow for supplying water to the one or more bathing devices located downstream of the mixer valve, The method comprises: obtaining a supply coupling setting indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving hot water during operation of the control system, and indicating which of the first inlet and the second inlet will receive or is receiving cold water during operation of the control system; and controlling the mixer valve according to one or more target output water characteristics and the supply connection setting, wherein the control system is configured to control the mixer valve according to the obtained supply connection setting so that the first inlet and the second inlet can interchangeably receive a hot water supply and a cold water supply, The method comprises obtaining the supply coupling setting by receiving a user input defining which of the first inlet and the second inlet is coupled to a hot water supply or a cold water supply.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The method further comprises: generating, by a first temperature sensor, a first temperature signal indicative of the temperature of water received by the first inlet; and / or generating, by a second temperature sensor, a second temperature signal indicative of a temperature of water received by the second inlet, Therein, the supply connection setting is obtained based on the first temperature signal and / or the second temperature signal.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising comparing the temperature signal provided by the first temperature sensor and / or the second temperature sensor to at least one threshold value to determine whether the first temperature sensor and / or the second temperature sensor is detecting a hot water supply or a cold water supply.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The method includes receiving the provisioning connection settings via a user interface or a remotely connected user device.

12. The method according to claim 8 or claim 11, wherein: The input is received via a wireless network connection.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The method includes receiving input of the supply coupling setting via a switch of the control system.

Images