Method for operating a hydraulic device for a sanitary appliance

Abstract

A method for operating a hydraulic device (1) for a sanitary appliance (2), the hydraulic device (1) having a first liquid outlet (3) for discharging a liquid and a second liquid outlet (4) for discharging the liquid, wherein, during switching between the first liquid outlet (3) and the second liquid outlet (4), a volumetric flow rate of the liquid is reduced by a flow controller (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a hydraulic device for a sanitary installation, which is particularly suitable for personal hygiene and / or therapeutic applications.

[0002] Hydraulic devices can be designed, for example, as concealed fittings that can be installed in a building wall. Furthermore, hydraulic devices can include a mixing valve for blending cold and hot water to create a mixture at a desired temperature. This mixture can then be supplied via multiple outlets on the hydraulic device to multiple outlets on the sanitary fixture, such as a shower head and a hand shower. The hydraulic device's outlets can be connected to the sanitary fixture's outlets via pipes or hoses. The flow of the mixture through the hydraulic device's outlets is controlled by valves.When switching the liquid flow from one outlet to another, particularly with high flow rates, very high pressure surges and / or flow noise can occur. In this regard, German patent application DE102015002885A1 discloses a sanitary diverter valve with two selectively controllable valve outlets. German patent application DE202018102400U1 discloses a remotely controlled sanitary diverter valve. Document WO2011 / 094455A1 discloses systems and methods for a programmable shower interface. Document US5518019 discloses a diverter and a volume control valve.

[0003] The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and in particular to provide a method for operating a hydraulic device by which high pressure surges and / or flow noise of the fluid can at least be reduced.

[0004] This problem is solved by a method according to the features of independent claim 1.

[0005] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0006] Furthermore, the features specified in the patent claims are further specified and explained in the description, and further preferred embodiments of the invention are presented.

[0007] This is achieved by a method for operating a hydraulic device for a sanitary installation, wherein the hydraulic device has a first fluid outlet for dispensing a fluid and a second fluid outlet for dispensing the fluid, wherein during the switching between the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet a volume flow of the fluid is reduced by a flow regulator.

[0008] Sanitary facilities can include, for example, a shower or bathtub, which are used primarily for personal hygiene and / or therapeutic applications. These facilities may be located in a bathroom. Furthermore, sanitary facilities can also be used in bathing facilities such as saunas, whirlpools, swimming pools, etc. Sanitary facilities can have at least one liquid outlet, such as a shower head, overhead shower, hand shower, side shower, nozzle, spray pattern, aerator, and / or bathtub spout. In particular, sanitary facilities can have multiple liquid outlets, for example, two to nine.

[0009] The hydraulic device can be designed, for example, like a sanitary fitting. In particular, the hydraulic device can be designed like a concealed fitting, which can be installed in a building wall or an opening in the building wall. For this purpose, the hydraulic device can, for example, have a housing that may be made at least partially of plastic and / or metal. The hydraulic device can have at least one fluid inlet. In particular, the hydraulic device can have a first fluid inlet for cold water and a second fluid inlet for hot water. The hydraulic device can be connected via the at least one fluid inlet to a fluid source, for example, a public water supply network and / or a boiler.For this purpose, a supply line, such as a pipe or hose, can be connected to at least one fluid inlet. Furthermore, the hydraulic system has a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet. The hydraulic system can also have multiple fluid outlets, for example, two to nine. Each fluid outlet can be connected to at least one fluid outlet of the sanitary fixture. A fluid line, such as a pipe or hose, can be connected to each fluid outlet. In particular, each fluid outlet of the hydraulic system can be connected to one or more fluid outlets of the sanitary fixture.The liquid outlets can be connected to the liquid inlet via at least one liquid channel.

[0010] Furthermore, the hydraulic system can have a support with at least one receptacle for a valve. The support serves, in particular, to accommodate functional components of the hydraulic system. The support can also be made, at least partially, of plastic or metal, such as brass. Additionally, the support can be designed as a base body. The at least one fluid inlet and / or the fluid outlets can be designed as openings in the support. Furthermore, the at least one fluid channel in the support can be designed, for example, as a bore. The valve allows, in particular, the control of fluid discharge via the fluid outlets. The fluid discharge via each fluid outlet is controlled by a separate valve. The at least one valve is electrically actuated. This can mean, in particular, that the valve can be electrically opened and closed.In particular, the valve can be designed in the form of a shut-off valve, an electromechanical valve and / or a solenoid valve.

[0011] The hydraulic device can include a mixing valve. The mixing valve allows, in particular, cold water at a specific temperature and hot water at a specific temperature to be mixed to produce water at a desired temperature. The mixing valve is, in particular, electrically actuated. For this purpose, the mixing valve can, for example, be designed as an electromechanical mixing valve or an electromechanical mixing unit. The cold water temperature is, in particular, a maximum of 25 °C (Celsius), preferably 1 °C to 25 °C, and more preferably 5 °C to 20 °C, and / or the hot water temperature is, in particular, a maximum of 90 °C, preferably 25 °C to 90 °C, and more preferably 55 °C to 65 °C. During switching between the first and second liquid outlets, the liquid flow rate is reduced by a flow regulator.The term "switching" here refers specifically to the switching of a liquid discharge from the first liquid outlet to the second liquid outlet, or vice versa. Furthermore, "switching" can also refer specifically to closing the first liquid outlet and opening the second liquid outlet, and / or opening the first liquid outlet and closing the second liquid outlet. After a switching process is complete, the liquid is discharged only through either the first or the second liquid outlet. During the switching process, the flow controller reduces the liquid flow rate, specifically from an initial flow rate to a reduced flow rate.The original volumetric flow rate is, in particular, the flow rate at which the liquid is discharged via the first or second liquid outlet at the start of the switching process. The reduced volumetric flow rate of the liquid is lower than the original volumetric flow rate, but, in particular, not zero. This can mean, in particular, that there is no interruption of the liquid discharge during the switching process.

[0012] The flow rate is reduced by a flow regulator, which controls the flow rate or velocity at which the liquid flows to the first and / or second outlet. The flow regulator can be, for example, a mixing valve. The outlet to which the liquid discharge is to be switched is only opened once the flow rate has been reduced. This prevents pressure surges and / or flow noise when the outlet opens. After the outlet opens, the flow rate can be increased again by the flow regulator, and the other outlet can be closed.

[0013] The discharge of the liquid is controllable via the first liquid outlet through a first valve and the discharge of the liquid via the second liquid outlet through a second valve, wherein the first valve, the second valve and the flow controller are controllable by a data processing system comprising a processor and wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a) Opening the first valve to discharge the liquid via the first liquid outlet; b) Reducing the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the first valve; c) Opening the second valve to discharge the liquid via the second liquid outlet; and d) Closing the first valve.

[0014] Steps a) to d) can be performed chronologically or at least partially overlapping in time. The first valve and / or the second valve can be located downstream of the flow regulator in one direction of fluid flow. Furthermore, the first and second valves can be connected in parallel. This can mean that the fluid is routed from the flow regulator to the first and second valves via separate fluid lines, or that the fluid is routed to the first and second valves via a single fluid line with branches leading to each. The fluid line can incorporate a Y-connector for this purpose.

[0015] In step a), the first valve is opened to discharge the liquid via the first outlet. The second valve is closed, so no liquid is discharged via the second outlet. Then, in step b), the flow rate at which the liquid is supplied to the first valve, or the flow rate at which the liquid is discharged via the first outlet, is reduced. Finally, in step c), the second valve is opened to discharge the liquid via the second outlet. The liquid is discharged (initially) at the reduced flow rate.

[0016] The flow regulator can be connected to the first and second liquid outlets via at least one liquid line. The first valve is, in particular, arranged in a first liquid line leading to the first liquid outlet, and / or the second valve is, in particular, arranged in a second liquid line leading to the second liquid outlet.

[0017] The liquid flow rate can be reduced by 10% to 90%. Preferably, the liquid flow rate can be reduced by 40% to 60%, and particularly preferably by approximately 50%. Before step b), the original flow rate can be at least 20 l / min (liters per minute), preferably 20 l / min to 40 l / min, and particularly preferably approximately 30 l / min. In step b), the original flow rate can be reduced to the reduced flow rate, which is, for example, 5 l / min to 20 l / min, preferably 10 l / min to 20 l / min, and particularly preferably approximately 15 l / min.

[0018] In step d), the closing of the first valve can be delayed compared to the opening of the second valve in step c). This can mean, in particular, that the first valve only closes once the second valve in step c) has fully opened. Furthermore, the closing of the first valve can be delayed by, for example, up to 5 seconds.

[0019] In step e), the flow rate at which the liquid is supplied to the second valve can be increased. This increase is achieved primarily by means of the flow regulator. The flow rate is then increased to the original flow rate at which the liquid was supplied to the first valve or the first liquid outlet. After step b), the switching process is complete. Subsequently, a switching process can take place, for example in steps f) to h), from the second liquid outlet to the first liquid outlet.

[0020] In step f), the flow rate at which the liquid is supplied to the second valve is reduced. Step f) can be carried out accordingly in step b).

[0021] In step g), the first valve can be opened to release the liquid via the first liquid outlet. Step g) can be carried out according to step c).

[0022] In step h), the second valve can be closed. Step h) can be carried out according to step d).

[0023] In step h), the flow rate at which the liquid is supplied to the first valve can be increased. Step h) can be carried out accordingly in step e).

[0024] Following a further aspect, a data processing system is proposed which includes a processor configured to execute a method for operating a hydraulic device for a sanitary installation, wherein the hydraulic device has a first fluid outlet for dispensing a fluid and a second fluid outlet for dispensing the fluid, wherein during the switching between the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet a volume flow of the fluid is reduced by a flow controller.

[0025] The data processing system is located in or on the hydraulic unit. For example, the data processing system can be attached to the support structure of the hydraulic unit.

[0026] According to another aspect, a computer program [product] is proposed, comprising commands that cause the data processing system of a hydraulic device to execute the procedural steps proposed here.

[0027] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but that the invention is not limited to these. Identical components in the figures are designated with the same reference numerals. The figures show, by way of example and schematically: Fig. 1: a first embodiment of a hydraulic device in a front view; Fig. 2: a second embodiment of the hydraulic device in a front view; and Fig. 3: a sanitary installation with the first embodiment of the hydraulic device in a side view.

[0028] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a hydraulic device 1 in a front view. The hydraulic device 1 comprises a support 11 with a first liquid inlet 12 for cold water and a second liquid inlet 13 for hot water. A flow regulator 7, designed in the manner of a mixing valve 8, is arranged on the support 11. Cold water can be supplied to the flow regulator 7 via a cold water line 14 and hot water via a hot water line 15. The cold water and hot water can be mixed by the flow regulator 7 to form mixed water with a desired mixed water temperature. The flow regulator 7 is connected via a first liquid channel (also referred to herein as liquid line) 16 to a first liquid outlet 3 and via a second liquid channel (also referred to herein as liquid line) 17 to a second liquid outlet 4.A first valve 5 is arranged in the first liquid channel 16, which can be used to open and close the first liquid channel 16. A second valve 6 is arranged in the second liquid channel 17, which can be used to open and close the second liquid channel 17. The mixed water from the flow controller 7 can be supplied simultaneously to the first valve 5 and the second valve 6 via the liquid channels 16 and 17. The first valve 5, the second valve 6, and the flow controller 7 are controlled by a data processing system 9, which includes a processor 10. After step a), the first valve 5 is opened to discharge the mixed water via the first liquid outlet 3, and the second valve 6 is closed.To switch the liquid discharge from the first liquid outlet 3 to the second liquid outlet 4, in step b) the flow regulator 7 first reduces the volume flow rate at which the mixed water is supplied to the first valve 5. Then, in step c) the second valve 6 is opened so that the mixed water is also discharged via the second liquid outlet 4. Finally, in step d) the first valve 5 is closed, and in step e) the flow rate at which the liquid is supplied to the second valve 6 is increased again by the flow regulator 7.

[0029] The Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a second version of the hydraulic unit 1 in a front view. This second version of the hydraulic unit 1 differs from the one shown in Figure 2. Fig. 1 The first embodiment of the hydraulic device 1 shown differs only in that the flow regulator 7 and the mixing valve 8 are designed as separate components and arranged on the support 11. The mixed water can be supplied from the mixing valve 8 to the flow regulator 7 via a third fluid line 18.

[0030] The Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a sanitary facility 2 in a side view, designed here in the manner of a shower. The sanitary facility 2 comprises a shower room 19, which is partially enclosed by a building wall 20. The Fig. 1 The first embodiment of the hydraulic device 1 shown is arranged in the building wall 20. The first fluid inlet 12 of the hydraulic device 1 is connected to a cold water supply line 21, and the second fluid inlet 13 of the hydraulic device 1 is connected to a hot water supply line 22. Furthermore, the first fluid outlet 3 of the hydraulic device 1 is connected via a first supply line 23 to a first fluid outlet 24, which here is designed in the manner of a shower head, and the second fluid outlet 4 of the hydraulic device 1 is connected via a second supply line 25 to a second fluid outlet 26, which here is designed in the manner of a side shower head. An operating device 27 is arranged on the building wall 20, via which the hydraulic device 1 is controlled. Fig. 1 The first valve 5 and the second valve 6 of the hydraulic unit 1 shown can be controlled by a user of the sanitary unit 2. The dispensing of the liquid or the mixed water can thus be selectively carried out via the first liquid outlet 24 or the second liquid outlet 26. The operating device 27 can be connected to the data transmission system shown in the Fig. 1 The system shown for data processing 9 must be connected.

[0031] The present invention makes it possible to avoid high pressure surges and / or flow noise of the liquid when switching the liquid outlets. Reference symbol list

[0032] 1 Hydraulic system 2 Sanitary system 3 First fluid drain 4 Second fluid drain 5 First valve 6 Second valve 7 Flow regulator 8 Mixing valve 9 Data processing system 10 Processor 11 Carrier 12 First fluid inlet 13 Second fluid inlet 14 Cold water line 15 Hot water line 16 First fluid line 17 Second fluid line 18 Third fluid line 19 Shower room 20 Building wall 21 Cold water supply line 22 Hot water supply line 23 First supply line 24 First fluid outlet 25 Second supply line 26 Second fluid outlet 27 Control device

Claims

1. A method for operating a hydraulic device (1) for a sanitary appliance (2), wherein the hydraulic device (1) has a first liquid outlet (3) for dispensing a liquid and a second liquid outlet (4) for dispensing the liquid, wherein during the switching between the first liquid outlet (3) and the second liquid outlet (4), a volume flow of the fluid is reduced by a flow regulator (7), wherein dispensing the liquid via the first liquid outlet (3) is controllable by a first valve (5) and dispensing the liquid via the second liquid outlet (4) is controllable by a second valve (6), wherein the first valve (5), the second valve (6) and the flow controller (7) are controllable by a system for data processing (9) comprising a processor (10), and wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a) opening the first valve (5) for dispensing the liquid via the first liquid outlet (3); b) reducing a volume flow with which the liquid is supplied to the first valve (5); c) opening the second valve (6) for dispensing the liquid via the second liquid outlet (4); and d) closing the first valve (5).

2. The method according claim 1, wherein the flow controller (7) is connected to the first liquid outlet (3) and the second liquid outlet (4) via at least one liquid line (16, 17).

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume flow of the liquid is reduced by 10 % to 90 %.

4. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein in step d), the closing of the first valve (5) is delayed with respect to the opening of the second valve (6) in step c).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein in a step e), the volume flow with which the liquid is supplied to the second valve (6) is increased.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein in a step f), the volume flow with which the liquid is supplied to the second valve (6) is reduced.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein in a step g), the first valve (5) is opened for dispensing the liquid via the first liquid outlet (3).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein in a step h), the second valve (6) is closed.

9. A system for data processing (9), comprising a processor (10) configured to execute a method for operating a hydraulic device (1) for a sanitary appliance (2), wherein the hydraulic device (1) has a first liquid outlet (3) for dispensing a liquid, and a second liquid outlet (4) for dispensing the liquid, wherein during the switching between the first liquid outlet (3) and the second liquid outlet (4), a volume flow of the fluid is reduced by a flow controller (7).

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