Method for operating a building water supply system with sanitary fittings

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a building water supply system (1) with sanitary fittings (4), wherein several of the sanitary fittings (4) each have a water outlet opening (7), an electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for releasing water from the water outlet opening (7), and a fitting control unit (9) for opening and / or closing the water outlet valve (8), wherein a hygiene flushing instruction is implemented by the fitting control unit (9) by controlling the water outlet valve (8), wherein a sensor (11), in particular a ToF sensor, is provided for detecting the environment of the sanitary fitting (4), and wherein, by means of the sensor (11), after the water outlet valve (8) has been controlled, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction,The sensor (11) detects an actual change in the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) outside the respective sanitary fitting (4) and thus validates a successful control of the water outlet valve (8) in a validation routine (13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a building water supply system according to claim 1, a sanitary fitting for connection to a water pipe network of a building according to the preamble of claim 11 and a building water supply system according to claim 14.

[0002] Hygiene requirements for the drinking water supply of buildings have increased significantly in recent years. A relevant aspect here is the fact that water standing in the water pipe network for extended periods, also known as stagnant water, can lead to the undesirable growth of germs. In this context, Legionella or similar germs pose a health risk. For this reason, a move has been made to record water flows in the water pipe network and / or to regularly and actively flush the affected water pipe network, which is referred to here as "hygienic flushing." Depending on the flushing strategy, the germs are flushed out, decimated, and / or killed, so that the water is once again hygienically safe.

[0003] Various methods for operating a building water supply system with sanitary fittings are known from the prior art. DE 10 2017 105 449 A1, for example, describes such a method. The building water supply system also described has several sanitary fittings, each of which can have a proximity sensor for user-controlled actuation. Furthermore, the described sanitary fittings can be controlled for flushing by a central controller according to a global flushing strategy. These controls of the sanitary fittings by the central controller are usually logged in the central controller.

[0004] However, it has been shown that situations can occur in which the central control system controls the sanitary fittings to flush and also logs this, but the flushing does not take place.

[0005] It is a challenge to improve the known state of the art.

[0006] The invention is based on the problem of designing and developing the known method in such a way that the operational reliability in a building water supply system is increased.

[0007] The above problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0008] The fundamental idea is to check the success of controlling a water outlet valve outside the water supply system by using a sensor to detect a change in the water outlet outside the respective sanitary fitting.

[0009] Specifically, a method for operating a building water supply system with sanitary fittings is claimed, wherein several of the sanitary fittings each have a water outlet opening, an electrically controllable water outlet valve for discharging water from the water outlet opening, and a fitting control for opening and / or closing the water outlet valve. Furthermore, a hygiene flush instruction from the fitting control can be implemented by controlling the water outlet valve. Furthermore, a sensor, in particular a ToF (time-of-flight) sensor, is provided for detecting the surroundings of the sanitary fitting.According to the proposal, after the water outlet valve has been activated, in particular due to a hygiene flush instruction, the sensor can be used to detect an actual change in the water outlet from the sanitary fitting outside the respective sanitary fitting and thus to validate a successful activation of the water outlet valve in a validation routine.

[0010] This makes it possible to increase safety, especially hygiene, in the building water supply system, as the detection captures the actual change in the water outlet from the sanitary fitting outside the respective sanitary fitting, making it possible to identify those activations of the water outlet valve that do not result in a desired change in the water outlet. For example, if the water outlet valve is defective or the supply line to the sanitary fitting is closed, the fitting control could previously implement a hygiene flush instruction and activate the water outlet valve accordingly without actually performing a hygiene flush. In a state-of-the-art building water supply system, the central control system would then incorrectly assume a successful hygiene flush.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the proposed method can be used, for example, to verify that the water outlet valve is actually closing, thus preventing uncontrolled water discharge due to a water outlet valve that is triggered to close but is defective and does not close. These situations can now be identified as incorrectly executed controls using the proposed method, and appropriate measures can be taken immediately, thereby increasing the safety of the building's water supply system and, as a result, making it particularly easy and cost-effective to operate the building's water supply system.

[0012] The advantageous embodiment of the method according to claim 2 describes preferred embodiments of the method with regard to the opening or closing control as well as an advantageous embodiment of the sanitary fittings, which each bring about a particularly simple and safe operation of the building water supply system.

[0013] Claim 3 describes preferred embodiments of the method during an open water outlet valve, which enables particularly reliable recording of the actual water flow.

[0014] Claim 4 describes preferred embodiments and implementations of flushing strategies.

[0015] When implementing the method according to the features of claims 5 and / or 6, the water flow can be recorded particularly well.

[0016] The features of claims 7 and 8 describe preferred embodiments of the method with regard to error handling for the safest possible operation.

[0017] Claims 9 and 10 describe preferred embodiments of the method with regard to the sanitary fitting and its particularly reliable and safe operation.

[0018] According to a further teaching according to claim 11, which has independent significance, a sanitary fitting for connection to a water supply network of a building is claimed.

[0019] It is essential that the sanitary fitting is designed and constructed to perform a process of the type described. The same advantages are achieved as explained in connection with the described process.

[0020] The sanitary fitting may exhibit all the features described in connection with the process, individually or in combination. Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed process.

[0021] Claims 12 and 13 describe preferred embodiments of the sanitary fitting which enable particularly safe operation and particularly cost-effective implementation.

[0022] According to a further teaching according to claim 14, which also has independent significance, a building water supply system is claimed, in particular for carrying out a method of the type described. The building water supply system, in its assembled state, is connected to a water pipe network of a building. It comprises a plurality of sanitary fittings, in particular of the type described, wherein the plurality of sanitary fittings each comprise a water outlet opening, an electrically controllable water outlet valve for discharging water from the water outlet opening, and a fitting control for opening and / or closing the water outlet valve.A hygiene flush instruction is implemented here by the fitting control by controlling the water outlet valve, wherein the building water supply system, in particular the plurality of sanitary fittings, each has a sensor, in particular a ToF sensor, for detecting an environment of a, in particular the respective, sanitary fitting. According to the proposal, after the water outlet valve has been controlled, in particular based on a hygiene flush instruction, the sensor detects an actual change in the water outlet from the water outlet opening outside the, in particular the respective, sanitary fitting, and thus validates successful control of the water outlet valve in a validation routine.

[0023] The building water supply system may incorporate all the features described in connection with the proposed method and / or plumbing fixture, individually or in combination. Reference may be made to all statements regarding the proposed method and plumbing fixture.

[0024] Claims 15 to 17, in turn, describe preferred embodiments of the building water supply system with regard to the water pipe network and the central control system.

[0025] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely illustrates exemplary embodiments. In the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a proposed building water supply system with proposed sanitary fittings for carrying out the proposed method, Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a proposed sanitary fitting from the Fig. 1and Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a proposed sanitary fitting.

[0026] The proposed method is used to operate a building water supply system 1 such as the one described in the Fig. 1 shown.

[0027] When installed, the building water supply system 1 is connected to a water pipe network 2 of a building 3. The building water supply system 1 includes several sanitary fittings 4 as consumers. These are connected to the water pipe network 2 when installed.

[0028] The sanitary fittings 4 can in particular, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, be designed as shower fittings 5 ​​and / or washbasin fittings 6.

[0029] The sanitary fittings 4 each have a water outlet opening 7, an electrically controllable water outlet valve 8 for discharging water from the water outlet opening 7 and a fitting control 9 for opening and / or closing the water outlet valve 8.

[0030] The faucet controller 9 can implement a hygiene flushing instruction by controlling the water outlet valve 8. Hygiene flushing instructions make it possible to perform hygiene flushes according to a flushing strategy. As described below, these can be hygiene flushing instructions according to a local and / or global flushing strategy. Furthermore, here and preferably, the faucet controller 9 detects a user action of a person 10 present and implements a corresponding control of the water outlet valve 8.

[0031] Furthermore, a sensor 11, in particular a ToF sensor, is provided for detecting the surroundings of the sanitary fitting 4. The ToF sensor (time-of-flight sensor) is preferably an infrared-based ToF sensor. It enables distance measurement using a time-of-flight method. For this purpose, it preferably comprises a PMD chip.

[0032] After the water outlet valve 8 has been activated, particularly based on a hygienic flush instruction, the sensor 11 can detect an actual change in the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 outside the respective sanitary fitting 4. In this way, successful activation of the water outlet valve 8 is validated in a validation routine 13.

[0033] This makes it possible to increase safety, particularly hygiene, in the building water supply system 1, since by detecting the actual change in the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 outside the respective sanitary fitting 4, those activations of the water outlet valve 8 can be detected that do not lead to a desired change in the water outlet 12. For example, if the water outlet valve 8 is defective or the supply line 14 to the sanitary fitting 4 is closed, the fitting control 9 could previously implement a hygiene flush instruction and activate the water outlet valve 8 accordingly without actually performing a hygiene flush with an actual water outlet 12. In a building water supply system 1 according to the state of the art, the central control 15 would then incorrectly assume a successful hygiene flush.

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, for example, the proposed method can be used to verify the actual closing of the water outlet valve 8 and prevent an uncontrolled water outlet 12 due to a water outlet valve 8 that is triggered to close but is defective and does not close. These situations can now be identified as incorrectly executed controls using the proposed method, and appropriate measures can be taken immediately, thereby increasing the safety during operation of the building water supply system 1 and, as a result, allowing the building water supply system 1 to be operated particularly easily and cost-effectively.

[0035] By detecting the desired actual change in the water outlet 12 by the sensor 11 outside the sanitary fitting 4, this change is directly recorded and the success of the change is validated. This change is not indirectly inferred, for example, by issuing a switching command to the water outlet valve 8.

[0036] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that, by means of the sensor 11, an actual water outlet 12 from the respective sanitary fitting 4 or an actual stop of the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 is validated in a validation routine 13 upon the opening and / or closing control of the water outlet valve 8, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction.

[0037] By verifying the opening activation and an actual water outlet 12, it can be ensured, for example, that an opening, particularly during a hygiene flush, actually occurs and that a water outlet 12 also occurs. The false assumption of a water outlet 12 that does not actually occur can be avoided. In previous systems, in which only the water outlet valve 8 is activated but the actual water outlet 12 is not validated, this was assumed, for example, even if an angle valve to the sanitary fitting 4 was blocked.

[0038] Checking the closing control and an actual stop of the water outlet 12 has the advantage that an unsuccessful closing can be detected directly and further measures can be taken promptly to avoid or limit damage resulting from such a malfunction.

[0039] In the validation routine 13, the sensor signal 16 of the sensor 11 is preferably monitored for a sensor signal 16 characteristic of the actual change in the water outlet 12 and / or a characteristic sensor signal change 17. This can be, for example, a sensor signal 16 characteristic of the reflection of the water outlet 12, i.e., for example, a water jet, and / or a characteristic sensor signal change 17. Additionally or alternatively, this can be distance information determined from the sensor signal 16, in particular from the ToF sensor. Additionally or alternatively, this can also be the absence of a sensor signal 16 characteristic of the reflection of the water outlet 12 and / or a characteristic sensor signal change 17.Preferably, different characteristic sensor signals 16 and / or characteristic sensor signal changes 17 are stored in the fitting control 9 for different jet patterns of water outlets 12. Preferably, the characteristic sensor signals 16 and / or characteristic sensor signal changes 17 assigned to the respective jet pattern are then used in the validation routine 13 to validate the change in the water outlet 12 of the respective sanitary fitting 4.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably, the sanitary fittings 4 each have a sensor 11 for carrying out the validation routine 13 for the respective sanitary fitting 4. This is described in connection with the sanitary fitting 4 and the Fig. 2 explained in more detail.

[0041] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that before the water outlet valve 8 is closed, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual water outlet 12 from the water outlet opening 7 is checked, and / or that during a hygiene flush, in particular during an opening of the water outlet valve 8 due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual water outlet 12 from the water outlet opening 7 is checked continuously or repeatedly, in particular cyclically.

[0042] In this way, the actual duration of the water outlet 12 can be determined particularly easily. In particular, the duration of a hygiene flush can also be recorded particularly easily and reliably in this way. Recording the actual water outlet 12 has the advantage that, for example, for logging purposes, the actual execution is not in question.

[0043] In this context, it should be noted that water outlet 12 from a sanitary fitting 4 in the exemplary embodiment and preferably a water outlet 12 from the water outlet opening 7 of the respective sanitary fitting 4 is meant.

[0044] A hygiene flush according to a flushing strategy can, in particular, be a stagnation flush and / or a thermal disinfection flush. With a stagnation flush, the temperature of the flushing water is generally below 65°C, whereas with a thermal disinfection flush, the temperature of the flushing water is at least 65°C, preferably at least 68°C, more preferably at least 70°C, in particular at least 72°C.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the hygiene flushing instruction for performing a hygiene flush is issued by the respective valve control 9 based on a local flushing strategy. A local flushing strategy has the advantage that it can be carried out independently of a central control 15.

[0046] Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that a data network 19 is formed between the fitting controls 9 and a central control 15 via, in particular bidirectional, data connections 18. It can then preferably be provided that the hygiene flush instruction for carrying out a hygiene flush originates from the central control 15 on the basis of a global flushing strategy. This enables central and, if necessary, cyclical optimization of the hygiene flushes in the water pipe network 2. A particularly high degree of hygiene can be ensured by controlling the fitting controls 9 and thus the water outlet valves 8 by the central control 15 according to the global flushing strategy during normal operation and by controlling at least some of the water outlet valves 8 according to a local flushing strategy during fault operation when the central control 15 is at least partially unavailable.

[0047] Hygienic flushing instructions according to the global flushing strategy originate from the central controller 15 or are controlled by the central controller 15, while hygienic flushing instructions according to the local flushing strategy originate from the respective valve controller 9. They can, for example, be stored in a memory of the valve controller 9.

[0048] At this point, it should be noted that hygiene flushes can preferably be performed as stagnation flushes, as well as additional hygiene flushes as thermal disinfection flushes. Thus, a first hygiene flush instruction can be a hygiene flush instruction for performing a stagnation flush, and a second hygiene flush instruction can be a hygiene flush instruction for performing thermal disinfection. Both types of hygiene flushes or hygiene flush instructions can be part of a flushing strategy, in particular a central flushing strategy and / or a local flushing strategy.

[0049] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the water outlet 12 of the sanitary fittings 4 is logged, in particular in the fitting control 9 and / or in the central control 15. Particularly preferably, during a hygienic flush, the start of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 and / or the stop of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 and / or the duration of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 is detected, in particular by the sensor 11, and logged by the fitting control 9 and / or the central control 15. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the quantity of the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 or the sanitary fittings 4 is determined by means of the respective sensor 11 and the fitting control 9 and logged by the fitting control 9 and / or the central control 15.

[0050] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the fitting control 9 sends the start of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 and / or the stop of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 and / or the duration of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4, in particular as an event, to the central control 15 for logging and / or stores it in the fitting control 9.

[0051] Based on such logging of the actual water outlet 12, the hygiene flushing and / or the flushing strategy, in particular central and / or local, can then be optimized.

[0052] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that, following an opening actuation, in particular due to a hygienic flushing instruction, no actual water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 is detected in the validation routine 13, in particular by the fitting control 9 and / or the central control 15, an error message 20 is generated and / or logged. Preferably, the fitting control 9 generates the error message 20 and sends it to the central control 15.

[0053] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that upon the generation and / or logging of the error message 20, a mobile device 21 is notified of the error message 20. This is preferably done by the central controller 15. The mobile device 21 can be a smartphone, for example. This enables rapid intervention by a person 10 responsible for operational safety.

[0054] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the respective sanitary fitting 4 has a fitting housing 22 in which the water outlet valve 8 and / or the fitting control 9 and / or the sensor 11 and / or the water outlet opening 7 are arranged. The water outlet opening 7 can be as in the Fig. 1 in the case of a shower fitting 5, be arranged separately from the fitting housing 22, or, as for example in the case of a shower fitting 5, also shown in the Fig. 1 shown wash basin fitting 6, in the fitting housing 22.

[0055] In the embodiment of the Fig. 2 the fitting housing 22 is formed as a cast body 23, in which here and preferably the water outlet valve 8 and the fitting control 9 and the sensor 11 and the water outlet opening 7 are arranged.

[0056] Furthermore, it can be provided that the water outlet valve 8 can be actuated by a user action, in particular that the user action is detected by the sensor 11 and, upon detecting the user action, the fitting control 9 opens the water outlet valve 8. For example, a user action can be detected by detecting the presence of a person 10.

[0057] Preferably, in addition to validating the successful activation of the water outlet valve 8, the sensor 11 is operable in an operating mode and configured to detect the presence of a person 10 in an operating detection area 24 assigned to the operating mode in this operating mode. Depending on the sensor signal 16, the water outlet valve 8 is activated to open in this operating mode and / or is activated to open after the successful execution of a test routine. In this case, dual use of the sensor 11 is possible: firstly, for the opening activation based on a user action of a person 10 present, and secondly, for the proposed validation in the validation routine 13.

[0058] It is preferably provided that, after the water outlet valve 8 has been opened and activated due to the detection of the presence of a person 10, an actual water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 is checked in a validation routine 13 by means of the sensor 11, and / or that, after the water outlet valve 8 has been closed and activated following the opening of the water outlet valve 8, an actual stop of the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 is checked in a validation routine 13 by means of the sensor 11, due to the detection of the presence of a person 10.

[0059] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the sensor 11 has different modes, in particular that the sensor 11 is operable in a presence operating mode and is configured to detect the presence of a person 10 in a presence detection area 25 assigned to the presence operating mode in this presence operating mode and to switch to the operating mode depending on the sensor signal 16 in this presence operating mode. In this operating mode, the operating detection area 24 is preferably smaller than the presence detection area 25 in the presence operating mode and / or the query frequency for the presence of a person 10 is higher in this operating mode than in the presence operating mode. By means of this two-stage test, the sensor 11 can be operated in a particularly energy-efficient manner.

[0060] During the validation routine 13, the sensor 11 is preferably operated with a detection range 26 that corresponds at least to the distance from the water outlet 12 to the sensor 11 in the detection range 26, preferably encompassing the entire water outlet 12 in the detection cone of the sensor 11. Additionally or alternatively, the detection range 26 is smaller during the validation routine 13 than in the presence mode of operation and / or the polling frequency in the presence mode of operation is lower than during the validation routine 13.

[0061] In the following, a preferred design of a proposed sanitary fitting 4 is to be described based on the Figures 1 and 2 be described.

[0062] The sanitary fitting 4 is used for connection to a water supply network 2 of a building 3. It has a water outlet opening 7 and an electrically controllable water outlet valve 8 for discharging water from the water outlet opening 7. Furthermore, it has a fitting control 9 for opening and / or closing the water outlet valve 8.

[0063] The sanitary fitting 4 is used to carry out a process of the type described. It is equipped and designed to carry out the process.

[0064] Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed procedure.

[0065] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the sanitary fitting 4 has the sensor 11. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor 11 preferably serves to carry out the validation routine 13. As already described above, it is preferably designed as a ToF sensor.

[0066] In the exemplary embodiment and preferably, the sanitary fitting 4, as shown in the Figures 1 and 2 As shown, the valve body 22 has a valve housing 22 in which the water outlet valve 8 and / or the valve control 9 and / or the sensor 11 are arranged. Additionally or alternatively, the water outlet opening 7 can also be arranged in the valve housing 22.

[0067] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the sanitary fitting 4 has an electrically controllable second water outlet valve 27, in particular also arranged in the fitting housing 22, for discharging water from the water outlet opening 7. Here and preferably, the second water outlet valve 27 can be controlled for opening and / or closing by the fitting control 9 and / or a control 28 arranged separately from the fitting control 9.

[0068] In the exemplary embodiment, the second water outlet valve 27 can preferably be controlled to open and / or close for performing a thermal disinfection rinse. Here, and preferably, after the second water outlet valve 27 has been controlled based on a hygiene rinse instruction, in particular a hygiene rinse instruction for performing a thermal disinfection rinse, an actual change in the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 outside the respective sanitary fitting 4 is detected by means of the sensor 11, thus validating successful control of the water outlet valve 8 in a validation routine 13.

[0069] In the exemplary embodiment, the second water outlet valve 27 is preferably arranged here and preferably in a bypass line 29 to the water outlet valve 8. Preferably, the bypass line 29 leads past the water outlet valve 8 and a mixing valve 30 for mixing cold water and hot water of the respective sanitary fitting 4, as shown in the Fig. 1 shown below.

[0070] Also proposed is a building water supply system 1, in particular for carrying out a method of the type described, wherein the building water supply system 1, in the assembled state, is connected to a water pipe network 2 of a building 3. It comprises a plurality of sanitary fittings 4, which are designed in particular according to the type described. The plurality of sanitary fittings 4 each have a water outlet opening 7, an electrically controllable water outlet valve 8 for discharging water from the water outlet opening 7, and a fitting control 9 for opening and / or closing the water outlet valve 8.

[0071] As already described in connection with the method, a hygiene flushing instruction can be implemented by the fitting control 9 by controlling the water outlet valve 8, wherein the building water supply system 1 has a sensor 11 for detecting an environment of a sanitary fitting 4.

[0072] Preferably, the plurality of sanitary fittings 4 each have a sensor 11, in particular a ToF sensor, for detecting an environment of one, in particular the respective, sanitary fitting 4.

[0073] By means of the sensor 11 or the sensors 11, after the water outlet valve 8 has been activated, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual change in the water outlet 12 from the water outlet opening 7 outside the, in particular respective, sanitary fitting 4 is detected and thus a successful activation of the water outlet valve 8 is validated in a validation routine 13.

[0074] Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed procedure and the proposed sanitary fitting 4.

[0075] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the water pipe network 2 is assigned to the building water supply system 1.

[0076] A data network 19 is formed between the valve controls 9 and a central control 15 via, in particular, bidirectional data connections 18. The central control 15 can be part of the building water supply system 1 and can be located in the building 3 or outside the building 3. Additionally or alternatively, a central control 15, in particular, can also be provided separately from the building water supply system 1 and then, if necessary, also form a central control 15 for further building water supply systems 1, which are provided in separate buildings 31. In particular, this central control 15, then as the central control 15 and / or a further central control 32, can be provided by a cloud service 33.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment, the building water supply system 1 has at least one branch 34 with several sanitary fittings 4. Preferably, two of the sanitary fittings 4 in a branch 34 are of identical design and are controlled according to the same flushing strategy, preferably together with other non-identical sanitary fittings 4 in the same branch 34. To implement the same flushing strategy, two sanitary fittings 4 are combined here and preferably in the central control system 15 to form a virtual group. In the exemplary embodiment, this is achieved by a control-technical link 28 to form a virtual group.

[0078] Here and preferably, a valve 35, in particular a manually operable valve, is provided in the supply line 14 from the branch 34 to the sanitary fitting 4, in particular one for the hot water supply line 36 and one for the cold water supply line 37.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the building water supply system 1 has a flow valve 38 that blocks or opens the water flow in the water pipe network 2 to at least one of the sanitary fittings 4. The flow valve 38 is controlled by the central control unit 15, preferably for blocking and / or opening the water flow. Here, several sanitary fittings 4 are arranged downstream of the flow valve 38 in the branch 34.

[0080] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flow valve 38 is arranged in a supply line of the water pipe network 2 to at least two sanitary fittings 4 and is assigned to them, and blocks or releases the water flow to these sanitary fittings 4. The building water supply system 1 is configured to block the water flow upon detection by at least one sensor 11 that the water outlet valve 8 of one of the assigned sanitary fittings 4 does not close upon corresponding control, so that the flow valve 38 blocks the water flow.

[0081] Additionally or alternatively, the building water supply system 1 may include a flow sensor 39 that measures the water flow at a point in the water pipe network 2. The flow sensor 39 preferably sends data about the water flow to the central controller 15.

[0082] Furthermore, the building water supply system 1 may additionally or alternatively comprise a temperature sensor 40 that measures the water temperature at a point in the water pipe network 2. Here, and preferably, the temperature sensor 40 sends data about the water temperature to the central controller 15.

[0083] Finally, it should be noted that the respective sensor 11 can also be used for other functions. For example, it can be provided that the respective sensor 11 or the respective fitting control 9 is configured to detect the particularly close presence of an object and / or an operator in a close range. This close range is preferably less than or equal to 5 cm, preferably less than or equal to 3 cm, in the exemplary embodiment less than or equal to 2 cm in front of the sensor 11. Depending on the duration of presence in the close range, the respective sanitary fitting 4 is configured here and preferably to perform various additional functions.

[0084] One function can be a cleaning mode, for example. In this case, it can be provided that if a presence is detected in the vicinity for a predetermined time, for example, 1 second, a water outlet 12 is blocked, in this case for a predetermined time, for example, one minute. This facilitates cleaning of the sanitary fitting 4.

[0085] Additionally or alternatively, a function can be the manual activation of a hygiene flush for thermal disinfection. This is not a hygiene flush for thermal disinfection based on a previously described flushing strategy, but rather a single user-controlled manual hygiene flush for thermal disinfection. For example, it can be provided that if a presence in the immediate vicinity is detected for a predetermined time, for example, two seconds, a user-controlled manual hygiene flush for thermal disinfection is triggered.

[0086] Additionally or alternatively, a function can be a water outlet timer. For example, if a presence is detected in the vicinity for a predetermined time, such as three seconds, a configuration mode can be called up, which allows the water outlet time to be adjusted based on a user action.

[0087] As a result, the operational reliability in a building water supply system 1 is increased by the features described above. List of reference symbols

[0088] 1Building water supply system 2Water pipe network 3Building 4Sanitary fitting 5Shower fitting 6Wash basin fitting 7Water outlet opening 8Water outlet valve 9Flush control 10Person 11Sensor 12Water outlet 13Validation routine 14Supply line 15Central control 16Sensor signal 17Sensor signal change 18Data connections 19Data network 20Error message 21Mobile device 22Flush housing 23Cast body 24Operation detection area 25Presence detection area 26Detection area 27Second water outlet valve 28Control 29Bypass line 30Mixing valve 31Separate building 32Further central control 33Cloud service 34Branch 35Valve 36Hot water supply line 37Cold water supply line 38Flow valve 39Flow sensor 40Temperature sensor

Claims

1. Method for operating a building water supply system (1) with sanitary fittings (4), wherein several of the sanitary fittings (4) each have a water outlet opening (7), an electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for discharging water from the water outlet opening (7) and a fitting control (9) for opening and / or closing the water outlet valve (8), wherein a hygiene flushing instruction from the fitting control (9) is implemented by controlling the water outlet valve (8), wherein a sensor (11), in particular a ToF sensor, is provided for detecting an environment of the sanitary fitting (4), wherein by means of the sensor (11) after controlling the water outlet valve (8), in particular based on a hygiene flushing instruction,the sensor (11) detects an actual change in the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) outside the respective sanitary fitting (4) and thus validates a successful control of the water outlet valve (8) in a validation routine (13).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that by means of the sensor (11) upon the opening and / or closing control of the water outlet valve (8), in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual water outlet (12) from the respective sanitary fitting (4) or an actual stop of the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) is validated in the validation routine (13), and / or that the sanitary fittings (4) each have a sensor (11) for carrying out the validation routine (13) for the respective sanitary fitting (4).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatbefore the water outlet valve (8) is closed, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual water outlet (12) from the water outlet opening (7) is checked, and / or that during a hygiene flush an actual water outlet (12) from the water outlet opening (7) is checked continuously or repeatedly, in particular cyclically.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe hygiene flushing instruction originates from the respective fitting control (9) on the basis of a local flushing strategy, and / or that a data network (19) is formed between the fitting controls (9) and a central control (15) via, in particular bidirectional, data connections (18), preferably that the hygiene flushing instruction originates from the central control (15) on the basis of a global flushing strategy, further preferably that in normal operation the fitting controls (9) and thus the water outlet valves (8) are controlled by the central control (15) according to the global flushing strategy and that in fault operation when the central control (15) is at least partially unavailable, at least some of the water outlet valves (8) are controlled according to a local flushing strategy.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe water flow of the sanitary fittings (4) is logged, in particular in the fitting control (9) and / or in the central control (15), preferably that during a hygienic flush the start of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) and / or the stop of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) and / or the duration of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) is detected, in particular by the sensor (11), and logged by the fitting control (9) and / or the central control (15).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting control (9) sends the start of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) and / or the stop of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) and / or the duration of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4), in particular as an event, to the central control (15) for logging and / or stores it in the fitting control (9).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatin the validation routine (13) following an opening control, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, no actual water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) is detected, in particular by the fitting control (9) and / or the central control (15), an error message (20) is generated and / or logged.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that upon generation and / or logging of the error message (20), a mobile device (21) is notified of the error message (20).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe respective sanitary fitting (4) has a fitting housing (22) in which the water outlet valve (8) and / or the fitting control (9) and / or the sensor (11) and / or the water outlet opening (7) are arranged, and / or that the sensor (11) is operable in an operating mode in addition to validating the successful activation of the water outlet valve (8) and is designed to detect the presence of a person (10) in an operating detection area (24) assigned to the operating mode in this operating mode and that, depending on the sensor signal (16), the water outlet valve (8) is activated to open in this operating mode and / or is activated to open after the successful execution of a test routine, preferably,that by means of the sensor (11) after the opening control of the water outlet valve (8) due to the detection of the presence of a person (10), an actual water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) is checked in a validation routine (13), and / or that by means of the sensor (11) after the closing control of the water outlet valve (8) following the opening of the water outlet valve (8) due to the detection of the presence of a person (10), an actual stop of the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) is checked in a validation routine (13).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe sensor (11) has different modes, in particular that the sensor (11) is operable in a presence operating mode and is designed to detect the presence of a person (10) in a presence detection area (25) assigned to the presence operating mode in this presence operating mode and to switch to the operating mode in dependence on the sensor signal (16) in this presence operating mode.

11. Sanitary fitting for connection to a water supply network (2) of a building (3) with a water outlet opening (7), with an electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for discharging water from the water outlet opening (7) and with a fitting control (9) for opening and / or closing the water outlet valve (8), characterized by that the sanitary fitting (4) is designed and constructed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Sanitary fitting according to claim 11, characterized in that the sanitary fitting (4) has the sensor (11), in particular the ToF sensor, for carrying out the validation routine (13), preferably that the sanitary fitting (4) has a fitting housing (22) in which the water outlet valve (8) and / or the fitting control (9) and / or the sensor (11) and / or the water outlet opening (7) are arranged.

13. Sanitary fitting according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in thatthe sanitary fitting (4) has a second, in particular also arranged in the fitting housing (22), electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for discharging water from the water outlet opening (7), wherein the second water outlet valve (27) can be controlled for opening and / or closing by the fitting control (9) and / or a control (28) arranged separately from the fitting control (9), in particular that the second water outlet valve (27) can be controlled to open and / or close in order to carry out a thermal disinfection rinse, preferably that by means of the sensor (11) after the control of the second water outlet valve (27) on the basis of a hygiene rinse instruction, in particular a hygiene rinse instruction for carrying out a thermal disinfection rinse,the sensor (11) detects an actual change in the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) outside the respective sanitary fitting (4) and thus validates a successful control of the water outlet valve (8) in a validation routine (13).

14. Building water supply system, in particular for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 10, with a plurality of sanitary fittings (4), in particular according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the building water supply system (1) is connected in the assembled state to a water pipe network (2) of a building (3), wherein the plurality of sanitary fittings (4) each have a water outlet opening (7), an electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for discharging water from the water outlet opening (7) and a fitting control (9) for opening and / or closing the water outlet valve (8), wherein a hygiene flush instruction from the fitting control (9) is implemented by controlling the water outlet valve (8), wherein the building water supply system (1), in particular the plurality of sanitary fittings (4) each have a sensor (11), in particular a ToF sensor, for detecting an environment of a,in particular the respective sanitary fitting (4), wherein by means of the sensor (11) after the activation of the water outlet valve (8), in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual change in the water outlet (12) from the water outlet opening (7) outside the, in particular respective, sanitary fitting (4) is detected with the sensor (11) and thus a successful activation of the water outlet valve (8) is validated in a validation routine (13).

15. Building water supply system according to claim 14, characterized in that the water pipe network (2) is assigned to the building water supply system (1), and / or that a data network (19) is formed between the fitting controls (9) and a central control (15) via, in particular bidirectional, data connections (18), preferably that the central control (15) is part of the building water supply system (1) and is arranged in the building (3) or outside the building (3).

16. Building water supply system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the building water supply system (1) is provided with a flow valve (38) which blocks or releases the water flow in the water pipe network (2) to at least one of the sanitary fittings (4), and / or a flow sensor (39) which measures the water flow at a point in the water pipe network (2), and / or a temperature sensor (40) which measures the water temperature at a point in the water pipe network (2), preferably that the flow valve (38) is controlled by the central controller (15) to block and / or release the water flow, and / or that the flow sensor (39) sends data about the water flow to the central controller (15), and / or that the temperature sensor (40) sends data about the water temperature to the central controller (15).

17. Building water supply system according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in thatthe flow valve (38) is arranged in a supply line of the water pipe network (2) to at least two sanitary fittings (4) and is assigned to these and blocks or releases the water flow to these sanitary fittings (4), wherein the building water supply system (1) is set up so that the flow valve (38) blocks the water flow upon detection by at least one sensor (11) that the water outlet valve (8) of one of the assigned sanitary fittings (4) does not close in response to a corresponding control.

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