METHOD FOR DETECTING AN impending drain blockage

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for detecting an impending drain blockage of a sanitary bowl, a sensor arrangement, a sanitary bowl, a pre-wall installation system and a toilet.

[0002] Sanitary bowls are common components of toilets and urinals. Sanitary bowls are often made of ceramic or metal. Paper or similar materials can clog the drains of sanitary bowls (or similar containers) and cause them to overflow.

[0003] Solutions for detecting drain blockages in toilets and urinals have become known, for example from US 9,939,307 B2 and EP 3 705 895 A1.

[0004] To prevent uncontrolled overflow, level gauges can be installed in or on the bowl, for example, which trigger when a predetermined water level is reached, as disclosed, for example, in WO 2016 / 086246 A1. However, such level gauges are usually located in the front, visible area of ​​the bowl, thus limiting design freedom and being visible and / or accessible to users.

[0005] In cases of vandalism, accessibility of the level gauge is particularly disadvantageous for the user, as it can then also be damaged and deliberate blockage by so-called "blocking and flushing" can no longer be detected and prevented.

[0006] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a method for detecting an impending drain blockage in a sanitary bowl is to be provided, which offers the most reliable protection possible against overflow of the bowl, especially if caused intentionally. Furthermore, the design of the bowl should be as flexible as possible.

[0007] These objects are achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the solution proposed here are specified in the dependent claims. Furthermore, the features specified in the claims are further specified and explained in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

[0008] A method for detecting an impending drain blockage of a sanitary bowl with a bowl inlet and a bowl outlet contributes to this, comprising at least the steps according to claim 1.

[0009] Steps a), b), and c) can be performed at least once or multiple times consecutively in the specified order. Furthermore, at least steps a) and b) can also be performed at least partially in parallel or even simultaneously.

[0010] In particular, through the (intelligent) detection of the incoming and outgoing water, the presented method, which can be implemented, for example, with sensors integrated into a pre-wall element, can detect an impending overflow of the bowl. As a result, an alarm can be triggered and, if necessary, the fresh water supply can be stopped. The method offers the particular advantage of being able to detect an impending drain blockage using sensors that can be arranged on the back of the bowl, which is generally inaccessible to users. This allows for the most reliable detection of an impending drain blockage, especially in the event of vandalism.

[0011] In step a), a sensor detects a measure of the fluid flow through the bowl inlet. For this purpose, at least one first (inlet) sensor is used, which is arranged in the area of ​​the bowl inlet. In step b), a sensor detects a measure of the fluid flow through the bowl outlet. For this purpose, at least one second (outlet) sensor is used, which is arranged in the area of ​​the bowl outlet.

[0012] Preferably, at least one first sensor and / or at least one second sensor are integrated or mounted in a pre-wall mounting system and / or concealed or inaccessible in and / or on the bowl. By integrating at least one first sensor and / or at least one second sensor into a pre-wall element or pre-wall mounting system, or by concealed mounting of one or more of the sensors on surfaces in and / or on the sanitary bowl that are (usually) invisible to the user and / or inaccessible to the user, a design-independent, space-saving structure and protection against vandalism are advantageously possible.

[0013] In step c), an impending drain blockage is detected if the time required for a specific fluid volume to travel from the bowl inlet to the bowl outlet exceeds a specific duration. In other words, this means, in particular, that the method determines and monitors the time required for a fluid flow (triggered by a flush) to travel from the bowl inlet to the bowl outlet. A comparison of the determined time with the specific duration contributes to the monitoring process. For this purpose, the specific duration can, for example, be stored as a reference parameter in a memory that can be accessed by an evaluation unit interacting with the sensors.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the measure of the fluid flow be a volume flow or a mass flow. In this context, the first sensor and / or the second sensor can, for example, (each) be a volume flow sensor or a mass flow sensor.

[0015] According to the invention, in step c), an impending drain blockage is detected if the time elapsed between a first significant increase in the temporal progression of the fluid flow measure through the bowl inlet and a first significant increase in the temporal progression of the fluid flow measure through the bowl outlet exceeds the specified duration. In this case, an increase in the temporal progression is considered "significant" in particular if the value of the fluid flow measure more than doubles in less than five seconds, preferably at least doubles in two seconds or less.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the determined duration be a predetermined duration or a determined typical flow time from the bowl inlet to the bowl outlet. In other words, this means, in particular, that the determined duration can be fixed or, in particular, updated at regular intervals, for example, based on the average of previously determined flow times without blockage. Thus, for example, by electronically determining the (typical) flow time from the water inlet to the water outlet and evaluating the determined (current) time, an impending drain blockage can be detected.

[0017] In particular, the specific duration can be calculated based on one or more temporally preceding observations or measurements (e.g., as an average). For example, the specific duration (for the following flushing process) can be determined based on the time or even set as the time that elapses in an (immediately) preceding flushing process between a first significant increase in the temporal progression of the fluid flow measurement through the bowl inlet and a first significant increase in the temporal progression of the fluid flow measurement through the bowl outlet. In this context, it can be observed over one or more flushing processes whether the flow time increases or not from flushing process to flushing process. This allows for the detection of deliberate "blocking and flushing" in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that an alarm be issued if an impending drain blockage was detected in step c). The alarm can be, for example, an acoustic and / or a visual alarm. The alarm can be issued directly in the area of ​​the drain. Alternatively or cumulatively, a warning or alarm message can also be communicated via a communication interface, such as a radio interface, to (pre-)determined recipients, such as a homeowner's smartphone and / or a control center of a building service company.

[0019] The user (e.g., homeowner) can thus receive acoustic notifications, for example, even if they are not physically present. Furthermore, appropriate notifications can simplify building services in large facilities (e.g., hotels), particularly by enabling alarm notifications to be sent directly via remote diagnostics in the event of a potential fault.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the fluid supply to the bowl inlet is interrupted if an impending drain blockage is detected in step c). To interrupt the fluid supply, for example, a drain valve arranged upstream of the bowl inlet in the direction of flow can be closed. Through the particularly direct evaluation of the measured values, for example, an electric motor-driven drain valve can immediately stop the flow of flush water in the event of an impending overflow, thus preventing, for example, flooding in the bathroom caused by the toilet.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the sanitary bowl is a toilet bowl or a urinal. The sanitary bowl can, for example, have a body made of ceramic and / or metal. The body of the sanitary bowl generally has at least three openings, namely a main opening through which objects such as feces and / or paper can be introduced into the bowl, a bowl inlet through which (flush) water can be introduced into the bowl, and a bowl outlet through which the objects can be discharged from the bowl with the (flush) water. Furthermore, the body of the sanitary bowl is generally formed as a single piece.

[0022] A sensor arrangement for a sanitary bowl and / or for a sanitary pre-wall mounting system for fixing a sanitary bowl is described, comprising: at least one first sensor for detecting a measure of the fluid flow through the bowl inlet of the sanitary bowl, at least one second sensor for detecting a measure of the fluid flow through the bowl outlet of the sanitary bowl, an evaluation device which can receive data from the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor and evaluate it in order to detect an impending drain blockage of the sanitary bowl if the time required for a certain fluid volume to travel from the bowl inlet to the bowl outlet exceeds a certain duration.

[0023] The sensor arrangement itself is not a subject of the claim.

[0024] In this context, it is preferred if the sensor arrangement could be configured to carry out a method described here.

[0025] A sanitary bowl with a sensor arrangement described here is described. The sanitary bowl can be, for example, a toilet bowl or a urinal. In this context, concealed mounting of the sensors in and / or on, in particular, non-visible surfaces of the bowl is particularly advantageous. In this case, the sensors are arranged in and / or on the sanitary bowl itself. However, the evaluation unit can also be arranged at a distance from it, for example, in a pre-wall mounting system and / or a cistern that can be connected to the sanitary bowl.

[0026] A sanitary pre-wall mounting system for attaching a sanitary bowl is described, comprising a sensor arrangement as described herein. In other words, this means, in particular, that the pre-wall mounting system (and not the sanitary bowl itself) has the sensor arrangement. In this context, integrating the sensors and the evaluation device into a pre-wall element or the pre-wall mounting system is particularly advantageous. The functions of a pre-wall mounting system are known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be explained in detail here.

[0027] A toilet having a sensor arrangement described herein and / or a sanitary bowl described herein and / or a pre-wall mounting system described herein is described.

[0028] The solution presented here and its technical environment are explained in more detail below using the figures. They show, by way of example and schematically: Fig. 1: a toilet described here with a pre-wall installation system, Fig. 2: time courses of measurement data to illustrate a possible application of a method described here, and Fig. 3: further time courses of measurement data to illustrate a possible application of a method described here.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows schematically a toilet 1 described here with a pre-wall mounting system 5. The toilet 1 has a sanitary bowl 2 with a bowl inlet 3 and a bowl outlet 4. The sanitary bowl 2 can be attached to a wall of a bathroom or toilet room by means of the pre-wall mounting system 5. In the case of the Fig. 1 The sanitary bowl 2 shown is therefore, for example, a toilet bowl. However, the sanitary bowl 2 could in principle be a toilet bowl, a urinal, or a similar sanitary bowl.

[0030] Furthermore, Fig. 1 A sensor arrangement for the sanitary bowl 2 and the sanitary pre-wall mounting system 5 is shown. The sensor arrangement is integrated into the pre-wall mounting system 5 as an example. Alternatively or cumulatively, at least part of the sensor arrangement could also be integrated into the sanitary bowl 2 or arranged (directly) on it. The sensor arrangement comprises the following components: at least one first sensor 6 (here, for example, two first sensors 6) for detecting a measure of the fluid flow through the bowl inlet 3 of the sanitary bowl 2, at least one second sensor 7 for detecting a measure of the fluid flow through the bowl outlet 4 of the sanitary bowl 2, an evaluation device 8 which can receive data from the at least one first sensor 6 and the at least one second sensor 7 and evaluate it in order to detect an impending drain blockage of the sanitary bowl 2 if the time required for a certain fluid volume to travel from the bowl inlet 3 to the bowl outlet 4 exceeds a certain duration.

[0031] The sensor arrangement is designed to carry out the test described below in connection with the Figures 2 and 3 the procedure proposed here, described in more detail.

[0032] The at least one first sensor 6 is generally arranged in the area of ​​the bowl inlet 3 of the sanitary bowl 2. The at least one second sensor 7 is generally arranged in the area of ​​the bowl outlet 4 of the sanitary bowl 2. The evaluation device 8 is arranged here, for example, in a cistern 9 of the pre-wall installation system 5.

[0033] The cistern 9 serves to store the (flushing) water, which can flow into the sanitary bowl 2 via the bowl inlet 3.

[0034] For this purpose, the cistern is typically fluidically connected to the bowl inlet 3. This connection can be specifically established and interrupted using a drain valve 10. For this purpose, the drain valve 10 can be actuated via an electric valve actuator 11, for example. This actuator can be controlled, for example, to immediately close the drain valve 10 if the evaluation device 8 detects an impending drain blockage.

[0035] The Figures 2 and 3 Each shows a temporal progression of measurement data to illustrate a possible application of a method described here. The method is used to detect an impending drain blockage in a sanitary bowl 2 (not shown here, see Fig. 1 ) with a bowl inlet 3 and a bowl outlet 4 and comprises at least the steps according to claim 1.

[0036] The measure of the fluid flow can be a volume flow or a mass flow.

[0037] In the Figures 2 and 3 an application of the method described here is shown, in which in step c) an impending drain blockage is detected if the time 14 that elapses between a first significant increase in the time course 12 of the measure of the fluid flow through the bowl inlet 3 and a first significant increase in the time course 13 of the measure of the fluid flow through the bowl outlet 4 exceeds the certain duration.

[0038] The specific duration can be a predetermined duration or a determined typical throughput time from the bowl inlet 3 to the bowl outlet 4.

[0039] If the bowl drain 4 is imminently clogged, the time interval 14 between consecutive flushing cycles, for example, can increase significantly. As soon as the time interval 14 becomes greater than the specified duration, an impending blockage is detected. This information can be used to stop the water entering the bowl inlet 3 before the bowl 2 overflows.

[0040] In this context, Fig. 2 a scenario with normal flow of the bowl drain 4 or with the bowl drain 4 open. The time 14 is relatively short. In contrast, Fig. 3 a scenario with impending blockage of the bowl drain 4 or with the bowl drain 4 almost blocked. The time 14 is relatively long and exceeds the specified duration.

[0041] Thus, for example, toilet 1 can be protected from deliberate vandalism in public areas by deliberately "blocking and flushing".

[0042] Additionally, an alarm can be triggered if an impending drain blockage is detected in step c). Alternatively or cumulatively, the fluid supply to the bowl inlet 3 can be interrupted if an impending drain blockage is detected in step c). List of reference symbols

[0043] 1Toilet 2Sanitary bowl 3Bowl inlet 4Bowl drain 5Pre-wall mounting system 6First sensor 7Second sensor 8Evaluation device 9Cistern 10Drain valve 11Valve drive 12Progress 13Progress 14Time interval

Claims

1. A method for identifying an impending outlet blockage of a sanitary bowl (2) with a bowl inlet (3) and a bowl outlet (4), comprising at least the following steps: a) detecting a measure for the fluid flow through the bowl inlet (3) by means of at least one first sensor (6) which is arranged in the region of the bowl inlet (3), b) detecting a measure for the fluid flow through the bowl outlet (4) by means of at least one second sensor (7) which is arranged in the region of the bowl outlet (4), c) identifying an impending outlet blockage if the time which elapses between a first significant increase over the temporal progression of the measure for the fluid flow through the bowl inlet (3) and a first significant increase over the temporal progression of the measure for the fluid flow through the bowl outlet (4) exceeds a certain duration.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measure for the fluid flow is a volume flow or a mass flow.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the certain duration is a predetermined duration or a determined typical throughput time from the bowl inlet (3) to the bowl outlet (4).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an alarm is given if an impending outlet blockage has been identified in step c).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid supply to the bowl inlet (3) is interrupted if an impending outlet blockage has been identified in step c).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sanitary bowl (2) is a toilet bowl or a urinal.